Over 200 People in Delhi Fall Ill After Eating Kuttu Flour During Navratri Fast

On Tuesday, September 23, Delhi witnessed a shocking food safety scare during the Navratri festival. Around 200 residents from different parts of northwest Delhi fell sick with symptoms such as vomiting and uneasiness after consuming buckwheat flour, popularly known as kuttu atta. The flour is widely used during fasting rituals, but this incident has raised serious concerns about food adulteration and contamination. Patients were rushed to Babu Jagjivan Ram Memorial (BJRM) Hospital in Jahangirpuri early in the morning, where they received immediate medical care.

Sudden Outbreak Across Localities

The areas affected included Jahangirpuri, Mahendra Park, Samaypur, Bhalswa Dairy, Lal Bagh, and Swaroop Nagar. Reports suggest that the patients started experiencing uneasiness within hours of consuming food made with kuttu flour. By 6 AM, a large number of people had arrived at BJRM Hospital, which quickly turned into the epicentre of the medical response to this mass illness case.

Medical Response and Patient Status

Dr. Vishesh Yadav, Chief Medical Officer at BJRM Hospital, confirmed that all admitted patients are now stable and no severe complications have been reported. While vomiting and uneasiness were the primary symptoms, doctors provided necessary treatment and ensured the patients’ recovery. “There is no serious illness among the affected patients,” Dr. Yadav noted, providing much-needed relief to worried families.

Police and Administration’s Role

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Northwest) Bhisham Singh confirmed the mass illness but refrained from sharing extensive details to prevent panic in the capital. Police teams immediately coordinated with local shopkeepers, residents, and the food department. Announcements were made over loudspeakers to warn people about the possible contamination of kuttu flour.

Food Safety Concerns During Navratri

Kuttu atta holds cultural and religious importance during Navratri fasting as it is considered a safe alternative to wheat flour. However, this incident has brought forth alarming questions regarding the quality and safety of food products sold during festivals. Food safety officials have already started investigating whether the flour consumed by residents was adulterated or contaminated during processing or packaging.

Government and Ministerial Involvement

Union Minister of Food Processing Industries, Chirag Paswan, expressed concern over the matter. He emphasised that the government maintains a zero-tolerance stance towards food adulteration. “Kuttu flour is widely consumed during Navratri, and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) will conduct a thorough investigation,” he said. His assurance came as a measure to calm the public, ensuring that accountability will be sought from suppliers and retailers.

Challenges in Identifying the Source

One of the major hurdles faced by investigators is the wide distribution of kuttu flour. Since consumers purchased flour from multiple shops across different localities, narrowing down the source of contamination has become complex. Retailers, wholesalers, and suppliers linked to the flour distribution chain are being questioned by the police and food safety authorities to trace the root cause.

Preventive Actions and Cautionary Measures

Authorities have alerted both shopkeepers and households to exercise caution while purchasing kuttu flour until the investigation concludes. The Delhi government’s food department has deployed safety teams to test samples and examine supply chains. Residents have been advised to avoid consuming questionable stock until clear results are obtained.

Broader Food Safety Debate

The incident highlights a recurring problem of food adulteration in India, especially during festive seasons when consumption of certain items peaks. Experts believe that stronger monitoring, transparent supply chains, and stricter penalties for violators are crucial to ensure consumer safety.