Hyderabad: Telangana’s share in food poisoning deaths has emerged as a stark warning on the state of food safety, placing it among the worst affected in the country. The latest medically certified cause of death (MCCD) report for 2023 shows that the state accounted for nearly one in every six food poisoning–related deaths nationwide, raising serious questions about hygiene practices, monitoring and timely medical response.Of the 612 food poisoning deaths reported across India, Telangana alone recorded 108, the second highest after Assam’s 199 deaths. Odisha followed with 56 deaths and Uttarakhand with 23. Public health experts say these numbers reflect deeper, systemic lapses in food handling, storage and oversight, particularly in settings where large numbers of people are served at once. Poor hygieneDoctors link the high toll to unsafe cooking practices, poor hygiene and delays in treatment. “We see outbreaks linked to mass cooking during weddings, religious gatherings and hostel kitchens, where food is prepared in large quantities and stored improperly,” said Dr Dasari Anusha, a senior gastreoentologist. “Bacterial contamination increases rapidly when cooked food is left at room temperature for long hours,” he explained.Recent incidents across Telangana underline these risks. In Hyderabad and nearby districts, students in govt and private hostels fell ill after consuming contaminated meals. Wedding feasts and community events in districts such as Nalgonda, Sangareddy and Karimnagar have triggered mass hospitalisations. Street food has also been a recurring concern, with several people reporting vomiting and diarrhoea after consuming poorly handled fast food and juices, especially during peak summer months. Life threateningDelayed medical care often turns a manageable illness into a life-threatening emergency, doctors warn. “Many patients ignore early symptoms like nausea or loose motions, assuming it will pass. By the time they reach a hospital, dehydration and infection can become life threatening, especially for children and the elderly,” said Dr Aditya Bapuji, a general physician in Banjara Hills.Food safety officials acknowledge the scale of the challenge and say enforcement is being stepped up with multiple inspections and special drives, particularly during festivals and summer, covering hotels, hostels, bakeries and street vendors. These checks have led to seizures of adulterated milk, synthetic food colours, stale meat and unhygienically prepared snacks in Hyderabad, Warangal and other urban centres.“We will also be launching initiatives under the ‘Eat Right’ programme for schools and campuses, instructing officers to adopt at least one institution each to promote safe and hygienic food practices. Public spaces such as metro stations and bus stops are also gradually being brought under the programme,” said a senior official of the food safety department.Food testing labsThe official added that the state plans to strengthen food testing laboratories, expand rapid response teams to investigate outbreaks and intensify public awareness campaigns. “Licensing compliance, hygiene audits and training of food handlers will be strictly enforced,” the official said. In districts, the department is conducting food business operator melas to educate small vendors, particularly in markets and agricultural zones, about registration, hygiene, and food safety norms. “Training programmes have been organised and postings streamlined to ensure that each district has at least one food safety officer and one designated officer, in line with the Food Safety and Standards Act,” added the official.Doctors meanwhile stress that public vigilance is equally critical. Avoiding food from unhygienic sources and seeking medical help at the first sign of illness can make the difference between recovery and tragedy. Prevention and early action, Dr Mahesh said, remain the most effective safeguards against food-borne deaths.
