“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food”. We have often read these words of wisdom, which emphasize nutrition as a primary tool to prevent and manage disease. But it becomes crucial when food turns into toxins and takes away lives.
In an unfortunate incident in Mumbai, a family of four—husband (40), wife (35) and two daughters aged 16 and 13—died on Sunday due to suspected food poisoning. Scroll down to read the details.According to reports, the family of four hosted a dinner on April 25 for five relatives, serving chicken pulao. After dinner, hours later the family ate watermelon and soon developed severe symptoms including vomiting, dizziness, and abdominal pain.
It has been reported that hours later, all four died within 24 hours, with the father succumbing last.
What went wrong
The preliminary findings suggest that the watermelon the family ate might have been the source of poisoning, as others who ate pulao remained unaffected. As per authorities, bacterial contamination, chemical poisoning and other reactions might have caused the deaths. While the investigation is ongoing, Mumbai police have registered an accidental death report and collected food samples for forensic testing.
Investigators are examining the storage, handling, and potential toxins in the fruit.
Why is the fruit being suspected?
As per experts, hot and humid weather often leads to reactions, and raw fruits and vegetables are highly prone to such reactions. That is why the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) also suggests being vigilant when buying fruits and following simple tests to check for adulteration in fruits like watermelon. Here are a few smart ways to check if your watermelon is unadulterated.
What does the study say
According to a study published by ResearchGate, food borne diseases are a result of ingestion of foods contaminated by either infectious or toxic agents. These diseases are sometimes inaccurately referred to as “food poisoning”, and they represent one of the most widespread and overwhelming public health problems of the modern world. The study explains an instance, where the head of a family (61 years), his wife (59 years), their son (38 years), daughter in law (35 years), and two male grandchildren (14 and 11 years respectively) were admitted to hospital with gastroenteritis.
About four hours earlier they had consumed pieces of freshly cut watermelon. During the investigation, the fruit seller was quiestioned about the purchase of watermelon and this revealed the fact that watermelons can be made more colourful and sweet without cutting them open. Instead a long needle, into the core, can inject sweetener and colouring agents, three to four hours before sale. The nature of the injected agents was not revealed by the fruit seller for obvious reasons. Culture from the solution that had been injected (which had been prepared andstored in an earthenware bowl), also grew multiple colonies of the enteroinvasive variety of E coli, which were biochemically lactose positive, non-motile, with non-lactose ferments. Use white paper: Rub a white paper or tissue paper on a slice of watermelon and rule out the presence of chemicals if the colours do not stick to the papers.Look at appearance: At times, watermelons are generally stocked in the open on the floor of godowns and are exposed to rats that nibble on them. It is suggested to keep an eye on the external marks on the watermelons to avoid the risk of infections.Use glass tumble: As per the Food Safety and Drug Administration Vijayalalithambigai, consumers should determine the quality themselves by putting chopped pieces of melon inside a glass tumbler.
The artificial colours separate when in water.Use cotton balls: As per FSSAI, one can cut the watermelon into two parts, take a cotton ball and rub it on the watermelon for some time. If the watermelon’s red colour is real, the cotton ball will not turn red, showing that the watermelon is real and its colour has not been tampered with. Also, some sellers inject the watermelon to make it appear red, so if rubbed with cotton, its colour will turn red.
The cotton turning red indicates that injections or chemicals have been used in the watermelon, which is not good for our health.
So, avoid taking such watermelons.
What else one can do
Check the shape: Always check the shape of watermelon. If the shape is uniform and symmetrical, the fruit is an unadulterated one. And irregularities in shape or size may indicate uneven ripening or improper growing conditions.Give it a thump: For this, lightly tap the watermelon with your knuckles and listen for a deep, hollow sound.
If it is a ripe watermelon, it will produce a resonant, drum-like sound.Check the colour and texture: Always check the outer rind, if it has vibrant colours and firm texture, it is a sign of genuineness.Check the bottom: One should also check the underside of the watermelon, known as the ‘belly’. This is the point where it rests on the ground during growth. Look for a creamy yellow spot, often referred to as the ‘field spot’. A fully ripened watermelon will have a creamy or golden-yellow field spot, indicating that it has been allowed to ripen fully on the vine.
