25 students take ill after consuming sweets at IIT-B

Mumbai: Twenty-five female students took ill after consuming sweets at the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT-B) campus in suburban Powai, officials said Monday. They were promptly provided medical treatment at the hospital in the premier institute’s campus and discharged, an IIT-B public relations officer said.

The students residing at the H-10 hostel on campus Saturday complained of giddiness after eating swe-ets following which they were rushed to the hospital for medical assistance. While most of them were discharged by Sunday evening, the institute is yet to ascertain the exact reason for food poisoning.

The officials at IIT stated, “Samples of the sweets have been sent for laboratory analysis. Students started complaining of vomiting after having dinner at the mess Saturday night,” adding that the cause of the food poisoning is yet to be ascertained.

The warden was informed about the food poisoning cases by midnight. A mail was sent out to all students at around 5 am on Sunday, asking them to report to the IIT campus hospital if any symptoms of food poisoning were noticed.

IIT-B spokesperson confirmed the incident of food poisoning. “About 25 girls fell ill after consuming sweets. The mess will remain closed till tomorrow for sanitisation. The Brihanmumbai Muni-cipal Corporation (BMC) has inspected the mess too. The cause of food poisoning is yet to be determined.”

A BMC team visited the IIT-B campus after the incident and carried out inspection of the mess where the sweets were prepared. The mess will remain closed till Tuesday as part of sanitisation works.