Navi Mumbai: Two days after the food poisoning incident led to the death of three children, it is being suspected that a cloth which had traces of an insecticide was used to cover food cooked for guests at Subhash Mane’s residence at Mahad village near Khopoli.
Dr. Ajit Gawli, Raigad district civil surgeon, said some of the patients told him that the cloth used to cover food had the odour of an insecticide. “The serum test reports of two patients indicated presence of organophosphate compound in the food. The cholinesterase enzyme level was found to be around 800, which ideally should be around 1,200. It does confirm the presence of organophosphate compound found in insecticides and pesticides. After the reports of the serum of the deceased come in, we can confirm the saturation of the compound and what exactly the chemical was,” he said.
Meanwhile, FDA assistant commissioner Dilip Sangat said if a chemical compound in found in cooked food, it does not amount to food poisoning, but chemical poisoning. “If the cereals were of bad quality, then all those who had bought them, would have suffered. We have taken eight samples of raw material and seven samples of cooked food, and the report is awaited.”
The police are awaiting reports to confirm the speculation. “There is lack of awareness on hygiene among the villagers. There are chances that someone might have wiped their hand on a towel after touching an insecticide or pesticide, and then another might have used the same towel to cover food. We have questioned four people, who have grudges against Mr. Mane, but the reason behind their fights is minor for them to do such a mischief,” senior police inspector Vishwajeet Kaingade from Khalapur police station said.
