Tragic birthday: 10-year-old dies of suspected food poisoning in Punjab

In a heartbreaking incident in Punjab, a 10-year-old girl, Manvi, died last week under suspected circumstances of food poisoning after consuming a cake ordered online from a Patiala bakery named ‘Cake Kanha‘. The tragic event unfolded on March 24, turning a birthday celebration into a sorrowful memory for the family. The entire family, including Manvi’s younger sister, reportedly fell ill after partaking in the birthday cake, leading to widespread concern and grief within the community.

A video capturing Manvi joyously cutting her birthday cake with her family was widely circulated on social media, starkly contrasting the tragic turn of events that followed. According to Manvi’s grandfather, Harban Lal, symptoms of illness emerged rapidly within the family. “She cut the cake around 7 PM on March 24, by 10 PM the same night, the entire family fell sick,” he recounted, highlighting the sudden onset of vomiting and extreme thirst experienced by the sisters.

As Manvi’s condition worsened, exhibiting severe dehydration and respiratory distress, her family rushed her to the hospital the following morning. Despite urgent medical interventions, including oxygen support and an electrocardiogram, Manvi’s life could not be saved. She was declared dead shortly after her hospital admission, leaving the family and community in shock.

The grieving family has pointed to the chocolate cake as the source of the poisoning, prompting a police investigation against the bakery owner. An FIR has been lodged as authorities proceed with a postmortem and testing of the cake sample to determine the presence of any toxic substances. “We are awaiting the reports,” said the investigating officers, signaling a pending inquiry into the exact cause of Manvi’s untimely death and the potential health hazards associated with the bakery’s products.

This tragic incident sheds light on the critical importance of food safety standards, especially in products prepared for children’s consumption. The rapid illness onset following the cake consumption raises questions about the regulatory oversight of online food sales and the responsibility of businesses to ensure the quality and safety of their products. As the investigation continues, this case may prompt closer scrutiny of food preparation and delivery services, underscoring the need for stringent quality controls to prevent such devastating outcomes.