Surat Food Poisoning: 5-Year-Old Girl Dies After Restaurant Meal

SURAT: A family dinner in Surat turned into a tragedy after suspected food poisoning claimed the life of a five-year-old girl, while her parents and two daughters remain under critical treatment. The family allegedly fell ill after consuming Punjabi dishes ordered from Sheetal Restaurant in Varachha on the night of August 15.

The deceased, identified as Arya Kalsaria, died during treatment at Sadvichar Hospital on August 17. Her parents and two sisters are currently undergoing treatment at the same hospital.

According to Bhaveshbhai Kalsaria, a relative of the family, Ashokbhai Chakurbhai Kalsaria and his family had ordered Punjabi dishes, including cashew and paneer preparations, from the restaurant.

The first signs of trouble emerged around 4 am on August 16, when Ashokbhai and one of his daughters developed severe stomach pain. They visited a local clinic around 9 am and received medication and treatment, but their condition did not improve.

By afternoon, the health of the remaining family members also began deteriorating, prompting relatives to rush them to Sadvichar Hospital.

Doctors immediately admitted the five members for treatment. However, the family suffered another devastating blow when five-year-old Arya died approximately 15 to 20 minutes after being brought to the emergency department.

Medical examinations of the four surviving family members reportedly indicated food poisoning. They remain under treatment, with their condition described as critical.

The incident has raised serious questions over food safety and the quality-control practices followed by eateries serving prepared food in the city.

Arya’s body has been sent for a panel postmortem to determine the precise cause of death. The family has urged police and senior authorities to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation.

“We want justice and strict action if negligence in food quality is established,” a family member said, appealing to authorities to investigate the restaurant and determine whether contaminated food was responsible for the tragedy.

The incident has once again highlighted the potentially fatal consequences of food safety lapses and the need for stringent checks on restaurants and food establishments.