Telangana government bans Mayonnaise for one year, here's why

Hyderabad: Telangana State government has prohibited the production, storage and sale of Mayonnaise prepared from raw eggs for a period of one year with immediate effect from October 30, 2024.

This comes days after a woman died and 20 others fell ill due to food poisoning after eating momos at a roadside food stall named Delhi Hot Momos in Nandi Nagar, Banjara Hills.

The Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 stipulate that "in cases where there are reasonable grounds to suspect that a food may present a risk for human health, then, depending on the nature, seriousness and extent of that risk, the Food Authority and the Commissioner of Food Safety shall take appropriate steps to inform the general public of the nature of the risk to health, identifying to the fullest extent possible the food or type of food, the risk that it may present, and the measures which are taken or about to be taken to prevent, reduce Of eliminate that risk’, the order said.

In a shocking incident, a woman died and 20 others fell ill due to food poisoning after eating momos at a roadside food stall named Delhi Hot Momos in Nandi Nagar, Banjara Hills.

The deceased was identified as Reshma Begum (31), a resident of Singadikunta. She is survived by three children.

Meanwhile, others who fell ill after eating momos last Friday filed a complaint with the Banjara Hills police on Monday. The kin of the victims are claiming that their health condition is still critical. They also alleged that similar food poisoning incidents were reported at Singadikunta and Gowrishankar Colony.

What triggered Telangana govt to ban mayonnaise?

A complainant, Jakati Anjaneyulu, said that every Friday, a vegetable market is set up at Nandi Nagar, Road No 14, Banjara Hills. On October 25, his daughters Shivani and Swetha, and Swetha’s husband Antony went to the vegetable market to eat momos.

“After eating, they returned home. However, soon my elder daughter Shivani began to experience stomach pain and within no time Swetha and Antony also began to suffer from pain and vomiting. Immediately, we shifted Shivani, Swetha and Antony to Apollo Hospital in Film Nagar for treatment,” Anjaneyulu said.

The complainant said that after examination the doctors confirmed that it was food poisoning, which resulted in stomach pain, vomiting and diarrhoea. All of them underwent treatment. Later, Anjaneyalu’s daughters and son-in-law told him they had eaten momos at a food stall named Delhi Hot Momos at Nandi Nagar.

While Anjaneyulu was enquiring at Nandi Nagar about the food stall, he came across B Prabakar, a resident of Nandi Nagar, who informed him that his wife Lavanya and son Rithwik were also admitted to Welcare Hospital in Banjara Hills due to food poisoning after eating momos at Delhi Hot Momos.

Similarly, another victim, Munna Yadav, who is also a resident of Nandi Nagar, said that his sons Shyam and Vicky and his nephew Md Abrar were admitted due to food poisoning after eating momos at the same place. Similarly many came forward speaking about how someone they know got admitted for the same reason.

In his complaint, Anjaneyulu appealed to the police to initiate stern action against the vendor and owner of the food stall Delhi Hot Momos at Nandi Nagar. A case has been registered by the Banjara Hills police on the food stall owner and further investigation is on.

Mayonnaise suspected to be cause of food poisoning

As per the observations during enforcement activities and complaints received from the public in Telangana, Mayonnaise made from raw eggs is suspected to be a cause of food poisoning in multiple incidents in the past few months. Mayonnaise (or "Mayo') is a hick, creamy sauce made by emulsifying egg yolks with oil, often flavored with vinegar or lemon juice. It is commonly used as a side dish or dressing in sandwiches, salads, appetizers, snacks, shawarma and various dishes.

License cancelled

The Food Safety Officials have inspected the premises and found that the establishment is operating without an FSSAI license and that the food is being prepared in unhygienic conditions. Orders were also issued to stop the business operations.

The Food Safety officials have lifted the samples of food articles found in the location and have sent to the State Food Laboratory for the purpose of analysis.