Mango Kernel Deaths In Odisha: Report Reveals Faecal Contamination, Unfit For Consumption

Bhubaneswar: Faecal contamination was found in the food and water samples sent for test following the death of two women in Odisha’s Kandhamal after allegedly consuming mango kernel gruel.

“The Hydrogen Sulphide and OT test was found positive for the water sample. Faecal contamination was found,” the report submitted to the commissioner of food safety said.

The victims consumed fermented rice and mango kernel before the incident which might have been stored/handled improperly or contaminated and could be a possible cause. They complained of nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and loose motion.

The Fire Safety Officer (FSO) had collected mango kernel power (moist) and it was not fit for consumption due to foul smell, it added.

Speaking to media, Public Health Director Nilakantha Mishra said that the report has substantiated the suspicion of it having turned toxic after being stored over 2-3 days.

“We have received the detailed report on the food consumed by them. Food should be consumed immediately after being prepared. Most food are susceptible to fungal growth when left outside for an extended period of time. Those who consumed the gruel on the first day had no health issue. When the same thing was consumed after two days, it had already turned toxic,” he told reporters, while refusing to divulge further details since the incident is under investigation.

Mishra further stated that the condition of the two women admitted to the ICU of SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack city improved after the second dialysis. “Both are conscious. Their creatinine levels have decreased,” he added.

Two women – Ramita Patmajhi and Runu Majhi – died and six others were taken ill after allegedly consuming gruel made of mango kernel at Mandipanka village in the Daringbadi block of Kandhamal on October 30. Two among the six were shifted to SCB in Cuttack late on October 2 evening as their condition deteriorated.

The health official had earlier informed that fulminant hepatitis leading to multi-organ failure could have led to the death of two women after those admitted the ICU were diagnosed with pulmonary hepatic failure caused by a fungal infection.

On Wednesday, RDC (South) Roopa Roshan Sahoo along with collector Amrit Ruturaj started a probe into the incident. She visited Mandipanka village and interacted with the families of the two who died and those undergoing treatment. She will again visit the village on November 11 as part of the probe.

Opposition parties, including BJD, Congress and CPM, have claimed the deaths resulted as the villagers were forced to consume mango kernel due to delay in distribution of rice under the Food Security Act.