20 people hospitalised after ‘food poisoning’ from free poha distributed near polling booth in Vadodara

Most of the affected were children aged between 10 and 18 years who showed symptoms of food poisoning and were rushed to SSG hospital in ambulances. Those affected were taken to the emergency ward and administered treatment.

Hospital officials said the labourers hailed from Dahod district and the neighbouring state of Madhya Pradesh and worked as daily wage labourers in Vadodara. Prakash Bhuirya, an agent under whom the affected are employed, said the labourers did not know who had distributed the free breakfast.

“The labourers told me that the free breakfast was being distributed at three locations around Suryanagar, especially for voters who had come to the polling station to cast their votes. Many of the labourers and their children consumed the poha and immediately complained of heartburn and vomiting. As their condition deteriorated, several children were rushed to the pediatric ward. We do not know how many are affected in all as several people do not have critical symptoms. Everyone is stable,” the agent said.

Of the 20 people who were brought to SSG Hospital, two were discharged by evening.