Over 200 fall ill after consuming buckwheat flour during Navratri fasting in Delhi

During Navratri fasting in Delhi, around 200 people fell sick after eating dishes made with buckwheat flour — a reminder to stay cautious about food safety. (Image: Pexels)

During the early hours of Tuesday, around 150–200 people in northwest Delhi reported falling sick after consuming food made from buckwheat flour (kuttu atta) while observing Navratri fasts. The incident sparked concern over the safety and quality of festive fasting foods that are consumed widely during this time of the year.

What Happened

The first alerts came in around 6:10 am at the Jahangirpuri police station, with reports that several people had developed stomach-related complaints after eating their Navratri meals.

Multiple cases have been reported around Jahangirpuri, Mahendra Park, Samaypur, Bhalswa Dairy, Lal Bagh, as well as Swaroop Nagar.

Many patients were rushed to BJRM Hospital, where the Chief Medical Officer confirmed a sudden rise in cases. Hospital authorities noted that none of the cases were critical, and all patients were well cared for and treated.

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In response , police and health agencies were deployed to the area to counter the situation. Restaurants, locals, as well as hawkers, were warned to be cautious of the items sold and purchased during fasts. Public announcements and beat patrols were also deployed to spread the message quickly.

The Food Department has now been asked to conduct quality checks on buckwheat flour sold in markets, particularly products marketed as “special vrat use.” Officials have also referred the case for a deeper probe to determine whether the flour was contaminated or adulterated.

Why This Matters

Kuttu atta is one of the highly used flours in cooking during fasts. It is used to make rotis, pakoras, and puris. But because its use spikes suddenly during fasting periods, issues with storage, transport, or adulteration can easily go unnoticed.

Contamination may occur at the milling stage or while transporting and mixing with other flours. When combined with the fact that many people eat it after long fasting hours, the risk of foodborne illness increases. Experts note that the immune system while fasting is a little more prone to attack, causing people to be more careful around unsafe food.

How to Avoid Consequences

Buy only from verified suppliers: Opt for flours that are packaged by a brand and have the FSSAI mark, quality seals, and expiry dates.

Assess the conditions of storage: Do not buy flours that are exposed in damp and dirty places.

Fresh stocks only: Avoid keeping the buckwheat flour as it spoils very fast.

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Maintain hygiene: Clean utensils, hands, and cooking surfaces thoroughly before preparing vrat food.

Watch out for symptoms: If you experience nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, or diarrhoea after eating, seek medical help immediately.

Report poor quality products: Inform local food safety authorities if you detect any suspicious fasting flour products.

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.