Ice Cream at Church Festival Makes 26 People Sick in Kerala
Twenty-six people fell ill after eating ice cream during a church festival in Kadungalloor, Kerala, on Sunday. Health officials confirmed the incident. No one is in critical condition.
Two Stalls at Fathima Matha Church Festival
Two ice cream stalls operated at the Fathima Matha Church festival. People who ate ice cream from one specific stall started feeling unwell on Monday. They reported incessant vomiting and diarrhoea.
Officials identified the problematic stall as one selling a local brand of ice cream. The owner of this brand, based in Kakkanad, has been summoned to appear before health authorities.
Health Officials Launch Investigation
Food safety authorities will collect samples for testing. A health officer suggested possible causes for the illness.
"They might not have followed hygiene practices while making the ice cream or maintained the temperature in the freezer," the officer said.
People at the festival noticed a difference in taste when consuming the ice cream on church premises. Some took samples home and stored them safely. These samples will be handed over to the food safety wing for analysis.
Importantly, people who ate ice cream from the other stall reported no health issues. This points to a problem isolated to one vendor.
Authorities Issue Advisory
Health authorities have asked people and local body members to report any health issues. They urge anyone with symptoms or knowledge of similar cases to inform concerned authorities immediately.
The investigation aims to determine the exact cause of the food poisoning and prevent future incidents.
