View source for 2025 New Delhi buckwheat flour food poisoning incident

{{Short description|Mass foodborne illness in New Delhi in 2025}}
{{Orphan|date=September 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2025}}
{{Infobox disease outbreak
| name            = 2025 New Delhi buckwheat flour food poisoning incident
| map1            = Delhi in India (1951).svg
| disease         = [[Foodborne illness]]
| location        = Northwest [[Delhi]], [[India]]
| coordinates     = 
| date            = 23 September 2025
| origin          = Adarsh Nagar, Delhi
| confirmed_cases = Around 200 (some reports indicated higher totals)
| suspected_cases = 350+ (media reports)
| hospitalized_cases = 200 (official estimate)
| deaths          = 0
}}

The '''2025 New Delhi buckwheat flour food poisoning incident''' was a mass [[foodborne illness]] outbreak that occurred on 23 September 2025 in northwest [[Delhi]], [[India]], during the Hindu festival of [[Navratri]]. Hundreds of people fell ill after consuming food prepared with [[buckwheat flour]] (locally known as ''kuttu ka atta''), a common fasting staple.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-09-23 |title=Delhi food poisoning shock: 200 fall sick after eating 'kuttu atta' during Navratri fasts; Officials sound alert |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/delhi-food-poisoning-shock-200-fall-sick-after-eating-kuttu-atta-during-navratri-fasts-officials-sound-alert/articleshow/124065349.cms |access-date=2025-09-24 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}</ref> Patients were treated at the Babu Jagjivan Ram Memorial Hospital in North Delhi. No fatalities were reported.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Around 200 Fall Ill After Consuming Buckwheat Flour In Delhi: Cops |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/around-200-fall-ill-after-consuming-buckwheat-flour-in-delhi-cops-9327320}}</ref>

== Background ==
During [[Navratri]], many devotees avoid [[cereal|grains]] such as [[wheat]] and [[rice]] and instead consume [[Fasting in Hinduism|fasting foods]] prepared from alternatives such as [[buckwheat flour]] and water chestnut flour (''singhara atta'').<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-09-24 |title=200 people fall ill after consuming kuttu ka atta during Navratri |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/200-people-fall-ill-after-consuming-kuttu-ka-atta-during-navratri/articleshow/124077185.cms |access-date=2025-09-24 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> The seasonal demand for these fasting staples increases significantly during the festival period, particularly in [[Delhi]] and other northern states of India.<ref>{{Cite web |agency=PTI |date=2025-09-23 |title=Delhi Navratri food poisoning: 'Will not compromise on quality,' says Minister Chirag Paswan |url=https://theprint.in/india/delhi-navratri-food-poisoning-will-not-compromise-on-quality-says-minister-chirag-paswan/2749242/ |access-date=2025-09-24 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Incident ==
In the early morning of 23 September 2025, the [[Delhi Police|Jahangirpuri police station]] received multiple reports of residents experiencing [[vomiting]], [[abdominal pain|stomach pain]], [[dizziness]], and [[diarrhea]] after consuming food made with buckwheat flour. Health officials linked the cases to food prepared during Navratri fasting.<ref>{{Cite news |agency=PTI |date=2025-09-23 |title=Around 200 fall ill after consuming buckwheat flour in Delhi, probe underway: Police |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/around-200-fall-ill-after-consuming-buckwheat-flour-in-delhi-probe-underway-police/article70083937.ece |access-date=2025-09-24 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

The majority of cases were reported from neighbourhoods including Jahangirpuri, Mahendra Park, [[Samaypur]], Bhalswa Dairy, Lal Bagh and Swaroop Nagar. Medical staff at Babu Jagjivan Ram Memorial Hospital confirmed that around 200 people had been treated in the [[emergency department|emergency ward]] by midday; later reports from other outlets suggested higher totals. All patients were reported to be in stable condition and no deaths occurred.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dutta |first=Alisha |date=2025-09-23 |title=Hundreds hospitalised after consuming adulterated flour |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/hundreds-hospitalised-after-consuming-adulterated-flour/article70086142.ece |access-date=2025-09-24 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

== Government and health response ==
The [[Government of Delhi|Delhi Health Department]] and the [[Food Safety and Standards Authority of India|Food Safety Department]] initiated an investigation, collecting samples of buckwheat flour from local [[market (place)|markets]] and shops for [[laboratory]] testing. Police and health workers conducted community outreach using [[public address system|loudspeakers]] and door-to-door visits to warn residents against consuming suspect flour.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Srivastava |first=Ashish |date=2025-09-09 |title=Over 350 report food poisoning in North West Delhi linked to Buckwheat flour during Navratri |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/delhi/2025/Sep/23/over-350-report-food-poisoning-in-north-west-delhi-linked-to-buckwheat-flour-during-navratri |access-date=2025-09-24 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>

The [[Minister of Food Processing Industries (India)|Union Minister of Food Processing Industries]] announced that a thorough investigation would be undertaken and emphasized a zero-tolerance policy on [[food adulteration]]. The [[Food Safety and Standards Authority of India]] (FSSAI) and other relevant agencies were reported to be involved in testing and tracing the [[supply chain]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=India |first=The Hans |date=2025-09-24 |title=Will not compromise on quality: Minister Chirag |url=https://www.thehansindia.com/news/national/will-not-compromise-on-quality-minister-chirag-1009404 |access-date=2025-09-24 |website=www.thehansindia.com |language=en}}</ref>

== Investigation ==
Authorities indicated that laboratory analyses of collected flour samples were pending in the days following the incident. Early enquiries suggested the contaminated flour may have been sourced from Adarsh Nagar market, but this had not been formally confirmed. Possible causes under review included adulteration, contamination during [[food processing|processing]] or [[transport]], or improper storage conditions.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-09-23 |title=Delhi Food Poisoning: 200 Fall Ill After Eating Buckwheat Flour Snacks While Fasting for Navratri |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/health/delhi-food-poisoning-200-fall-ill-after-eating-buckwheat-flour-snacks-while-fasting-for-navratri-article-152880471 |access-date=2025-09-24 |website=Times Now |language=en}}</ref>

== Public reaction ==
The incident generated concern in affected neighbourhoods, especially as it coincided with Navratri fasting when consumption of buckwheat flour increases. Some [[shopkeeper|shopkeepers]] temporarily suspended the sale of buckwheat flour while testing was underway. Neighbouring cities such as [[Noida]] and [[Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh|Ghaziabad]] increased inspections of fasting-related food items as a precautionary measure.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Patil |first=Manjiri |date=September 24, 2025 |title=Over 200 fall ill after consuming buckwheat flour during Navratri fasting in Delhi |url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/health-and-fitness/over-200-fall-ill-after-consuming-buckwheat-flour-during-navratri-fasting-in-delhi-article-13573345.html}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Navratri]]
* [[Foodborne illness]]
* [[Public health in India]]
* [[List of foodborne illness outbreaks]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{coord missing|Delhi}}

[[Category:September 2025 in India]]
[[Category:Health disasters in India]]
[[Category:Delhi]]