Kerala woman gets Salmonella from cafe’s grilled chicken, wins Rs 96,000

Ate at cafe

According to the complainant, she and her sister had eaten Alfaham or grilled chicken from the café on October 21, 2025. She stated that they noticed a difference in the taste of the food and informed the cafe, but the management allegedly did not accept their complaint.

She said she subsequently developed vomiting, abdominal pain and other symptoms. After initially consulting a doctor, she was admitted to a hospital where she underwent treatment. The woman claimed that she spent Rs 36,393 on her treatment. The complainant claimed that her son informed this to the opposite parties and requested them to pay the treatment expenses however the opposite parties allegedly ridiculed him.

The cafe’s proprietor denied the allegations and said that the grilled chicken served to the complainant was of good quality. He told the commission that more than 100 people had consumed the same food on the day in question and no one else had complained of any health problem.

The commission relied on the woman’s hospital discharge summary, which recorded that she was suffering from a “Salmonella Infection”.

‘Salmonella Infection’ is a bacterial disease affects the intestinal tract and usually get it from eating contaminated or undercooked food. The common symptoms of the said disease is diarrhoea, Nausea and vomiting. It noted that the opposite party could not disprove any of the contentions in the discharge summary.

The commission therefore allowed the complaint and directed the cafe to pay the amount within 30 days. The commission clarified that in case of failure to pay within the stipulated period, the amounts will carry interest at 10 per cent per annum.

Takeaway

The case shows that food outlets can be held liable for medical expenses and compensation when a consumer establishes, through medical records and surrounding circumstances, a link between the food consumed and a subsequent illness, even in the absence of complaints from other customers.

For consumer-related grievances, individuals may contact the consumer helpline in their respective states and Union territories (Kerala: 1800-425-1550) or call the National Consumer Helpline at 1915 for assistance.

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