Mumbai: The death of four members of a family, hours after consuming a watermelon, has brought into focus the possible health risks posed by chemicals injected into such fruits to enhance sweetness and colour.
The police have sent samples of the watermelon for tests at a forensic laboratory.
Abdullah Dokadia (40), his wife, Naseem (35) and their two daughters, Ayesha (16) and Zainab (13), residents of the Moghul Building at Pydhonie, died on Sunday, the police said.
The family had invited five relatives, including Abdullah’s brother and sister, to their house Saturday night. All nine of them ate dinner at around 10.30 pm, following which the five guests returned home, Pravin Mundhe, DCP, Zone I, said.
The relatives did not eat the watermelon that was consumed by the family around 1-1.30 am after the guests left. Around 5.30-6 am on Sunday, all four began experiencing vomiting and loose motions. They were first attended by the family doctor and then referred to J J Hospital, as reported by The Indian Express.
Ayesha, died at 10.15 am Sunday, while her younger sister and mother passed away later that day. Abdullah, who owned a mobile accessories shop in Andheri, succumbed at 10.30 pm.
“We examined the other five guests, but none showed any symptoms. As a result, the dinner shared with the family is not currently suspected of causing the illness,” an official said.
Abdullah told the police before his death that they had a watermelon before going to bed, senior inspector of the J J Marg police station Rais Shaikh said.
Food poisoning is suspected as a possible cause, and the remains of the watermelon consumed by the family have been sent for forensic testing to check for toxins.
“The leftover dinner and half a watermelon have been sent to the forensic science laboratory in Kalina for testing for any toxic substances. The post-mortem examination was conducted at J J Hospital, which has reserved its opinion pending the histopathological report,” the official said.
Watermelon is a sought after fruit during the summer. Experts have been warning of attempts by unscrupulous traders to inject the fruit with certain chemicals to enhance redness and sweetness. These chemicals can be dangerous for humans.
The easiest way to check for chemicals is to rub the pulp of a watermelon with a cotton swab or tissue. If the swab or tissue turns red, it is confirmed that chemicals have been injected into the fruit.
Slices of the pulp may also be soaked in a glass of water. If the water turns red, it would indicate that dyes have been used to enhance colour.
