Surat restaurant sealed after five-year-old girl dies of suspected food poisoning

A five-year-old girl has died and four family members were hospitalized in Surat, Gujarat, following suspected food poisoning after a meal at Sheetal Restaurant. The family, residents of the Varachha area, ordered food on August 15, subsequently developing symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea, and severe abdominal pain.

The girl was declared dead after being brought to the emergency department of Sadvichar Hospital on August 17. While the surviving family members—including the mother and two other children—remain under medical treatment, the father has been discharged.

Following an inspection, the Surat Municipal Corporation sealed the restaurant after officials identified lapses in cleanliness and hygiene within the kitchen. Medical Health Officer PH Umrigar stated that samples of raw materials and ready-to-eat food were collected for testing. An improvement notice has been issued, and a panel post-mortem has been ordered to determine if food poisoning was the direct cause of the child's death.