Bhiwandi Shawarma Food Poisoning: Five days after a suspected mass food poisoning incident shook Maharashtra’s Bhiwandi town, 79 people remain hospitalised. The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has also cracked down on eateries after carrying out inspections throughout the town.
As the victim reported, the incident occurred on June 17 after some of them went to purchase shawarma, pizza and some other delicacies from a famous food stall located in Khandu Pada area of Bhiwandi. The customers started experiencing severe stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, nausea, fever within hours. Soon, the number of people reporting symptoms to the hospital increased and as many as 120 individuals admitted to Indira Gandhi Memorial (IGM) Hospital.
Bhiwandi Shawarma Food Poisoning
According to Dr. Madhavi S. Pandare, Medical Superintendent of IGM Hospital, 124 patients were admitted following the outbreak.
Of these:
- 45 patients have been discharged
- 79 patients remain under medical observation
- All admitted patients are reported to be stable and out of danger
“The patients are stable and out of danger. Some of them still complain of abdominal pain and loose motions. We have sufficient staff and medicines, including ORS stocks, to handle the situation. Off-duty staff were also recalled for emergency duties,” Madhavi S. Pandare, Medical Superintendent of the IGM Hospital said.
“The outlet operates from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m., but it was observed that only those who consumed shawarma after 10 pm fell ill. It is too early to pinpoint exactly what went wrong. We are also examining the preparation process of the dish,” he said, adding that food poisoning cases typically spike during May-June due to prevailing climatic conditions.
“Bhiwandi is a major logistics hub, and several godowns here reportedly sell expired items, which contributes to such mishaps. The FDA must take this seriously, and we expect raids on such storage facilities soon,” Mr. Shaikh said.
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Food Samples Sent for Laboratory Testing
Health officials have sent biological samples from affected patients, along with food samples collected from the suspected outlet, for microbiological, chemical and culture analysis.
Authorities are awaiting laboratory reports to determine the exact contaminant responsible for the illness. Until those findings are available, officials have refrained from confirming the precise cause of the outbreak.
Maharashtra FDA Cracks Down on Food Outlets
Following the incident, the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration launched an extensive inspection drive across eateries in Bhiwandi.
FDA Assistant Commissioner Santosh Shirosia said officials have sealed the suspected shawarma outlet. They have nitiated action against another food establishment for labelling and declaration violations.
According to the FDA, the eatery operated from 4 pm to 2 am, but preliminary findings suggest that only customers who consumed shawarma after approximately 10 pm fell ill. Investigators are now examining whether any lapse occurred during food preparation, storage or handling during the later hours of operation. However, officials stressed that it is too early to draw final conclusions before laboratory reports are received.
Local MLA Rais Shaikh described the incident as a serious public health issue and called for stricter regulation of food businesses operating in Bhiwandi.
He also urged the FDA to inspect warehouses and storage facilities in the logistics hub, alleging that expired food products could be contributing to such incidents. Authorities are expected to continue inspections in the coming days.
