Delhi: Around 200 fall ill after consuming buckwheat flour during Navratri fasting

NEW DELHI: Around 200 people in northwest Delhi fell ill due to suspected food poisoning after consuming buckwheat flour during Navratri fasting, police said on Tuesday. Patients from areas including Jahangirpuri, Mahendra Park, Samaypur, Bhalswa Dairy, Lal Bagh, and Swaroop Nagar were reported to be stable, with no serious cases detected. Police said calls began pouring in around 6:10 am at the Jahangirpuri police station, reporting that several individuals had taken ill after eating food prepared with kuttu atta (buckwheat flour).

Teams were rushed to BJRM Hospital, where the chief medical officer informed that around 150 to 200 people had reported to the emergency ward since morning, the police added.Officials said the suspected food poisoning caused panic in the locality, especially as many people were fasting for Navratri. The police immediately began sensitising shopkeepers, vendors and residents about the matter through beat staff and public address systems to prevent further panic. The matter has also been referred to the Food Department for further action, including quality checks of kuttu atta being sold in local markets. "We are coordinating with the Food Department and local health officials. People are being made aware at the community level to ensure public safety," the officer said. (With inputs from agencies)