A birthday celebration in Maharashtra’s Nalasopara reportedly turned into a nightmare after 11 people fell ill after eating a birthday cake that allegedly contained a dead lizard.
The incident took place in Nalasopara, where family members and guests had gathered to celebrate a birthday. Like most birthday celebrations, the cake was reportedly the centre of attention. However, the occasion took an alarming turn after several guests began experiencing health problems shortly after consuming it.
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According to reports, the affected group included seven children and four women. They reportedly complained of sudden stomach and chest pain after eating the cake.
The family and others present at the gathering quickly sought medical assistance and rushed the affected individuals to a nearby hospital. They were admitted for treatment and observation.
Doctors treating the patients reportedly said that all 11 people were in stable condition. The exact cause of their symptoms and whether the alleged presence of the lizard directly caused the illness will require further investigation.
The incident has raised concerns over food hygiene and safety standards, particularly regarding the preparation, storage and handling of bakery products. It also highlights the importance of maintaining proper hygiene standards throughout the food supply chain.
The Nalasopara incident comes amid growing concerns over food safety in Maharashtra. Earlier, a rat was allegedly spotted inside an ice cream freezer at a Blinkit store in the Godrej Hill area of Kalyan in Thane, prompting concerns among customers and calls for action from authorities.
In a separate incident involving a Blinkit-linked facility in Malad West, food safety inspectors reportedly found multiple violations and suspended the establishment’s Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) licence.
The incidents have brought renewed attention to hygiene practices at food businesses and facilities associated with quick-commerce platforms. With online grocery and food deliveries becoming increasingly popular, consumers are relying on companies to ensure that products are stored and handled under safe conditions.
Food safety authorities have also been scrutinising facilities linked to quick-commerce operations across Maharashtra, particularly following complaints and alleged violations.
While investigations into the Nalasopara cake incident are expected to establish how the dead lizard allegedly ended up in the cake, the episode has once again raised questions about food safety checks and the responsibility of bakeries and food businesses to maintain strict hygiene standards.
For consumers, the incident serves as a reminder to remain alert about the quality and condition of food products, especially items that are prepared and stored for extended periods before being consumed.
