Food poisoning strikes again; 27 in hospital after eating Kuzhimanthi in Thrissur

THRISSUR: In a grave incident, a total of 27 people were hospitalized after eating the Yemeni rice dish ‘Kuzhimanthi’. All of the affected people consumed the rice dish from the hotel in Perinjanam on Saturday at 8 pm.

Meanwhile, the inspection launched by the Food Safety Department in Kozhikode continued on Saturday following widespread allegations of non-compliance with standards in the preparation and sale of shawarma. Out of the 98 shawarma shops inspected, five shops were fined while 23 were issued notices.

Apart from the instructions to be followed while preparing and selling shawarma, the officials will also take note of the hygiene followed in the restaurant. The inspection will continue in the coming days.

House of Falooda in Palazhi Road, Ginger Cafe in Vadakara and E Duniyav in Nadakkavu were shut down for working without a license. Officials blamed the improper manufacturing of mayonnaise as the core reason for the deteriorating issues in Shawarma shops. Although making mayonnaise using raw eggs is banned, the practice still continues with impunity in many places.

When using raw eggs, the taste is enhanced and the meal becomes more sumptuous. However, this is considered bad for health and this way of mayonnaise preparation is less preferred. Mayonnaise is made with pasteurized eggs (green eggs placed in 60-65-degree hot water for 3 to 3.5 minutes). The medical fitness of shawarma makers is also important. When Shawarma is given in parcels, a mandatory label should be put, asking people to use it within one hour.