Bhubaneswar, Nov 1: The Odisha government announced on Friday the initiation of a departmental investigation into the alleged deaths of two women who reportedly consumed gruel made from mango kernels in Kandhamal district. Health and Family Welfare Minister Mukesh Mahaling confirmed that the Health Department is looking into the matter, with teams from the district headquarters hospital and a local team deployed to assess the situation and conduct a thorough investigation.
Minister Mahaling stated that they are awaiting the postmortem report to confirm the cause of death. He noted that while mango kernels are commonly consumed in Kandhamal, there have been previous reports of health complications associated with them.
Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida expressed her concern over the incident, highlighting that mango kernels are a regular part of the local diet. She pointed out that while the consumption of mango kernels is typical, contamination can sometimes lead to serious health issues. “We have been actively raising awareness about the risks of food contamination,” she said.
The two women from Mandipanka village in the Daringbadi block passed away after experiencing severe symptoms, including diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea, shortly after eating the gruel on Wednesday night. Six others are currently receiving treatment at MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur, with their conditions reported as critical. One woman died during treatment at a Community Health Centre, while the other succumbed while being transported to Berhampur.
Odisha Government launches probe into deaths linked to mango kernel
