Food Safety Alert: Hyderabad Experts Warn Against Food Safety and Precautions

Hema Singuluri | Hyderabad 

Following the reported death of a Mumbai family within 12 hours after consuming watermelon and biryani, concerns over food safety have intensified, prompting Hyderabad-based doctors to caution the public about suspected “injected” and adulterated fruits circulating in markets.

Concerns over food safety have surged following reports of a Mumbai family allegedly dying within 12 hours of consuming watermelon and biryani. The incident, still under investigation, has triggered widespread fear on social media over so-called “injected fruits” and adulterated produce in markets. In response, Hyderabad-based medical and nutrition experts have urged the public to rely on science rather than viral speculation.

“Fear Went Viral Faster Than Facts,” Says Nutrition Expert  Prof. Dr. Saibaba Ayyagari has strongly cautioned against misinformation, stating that the incident has become a classic example of how fear spreads faster than verified evidence.

He emphasized that while initial reports triggered panic, later updates suggested that the exact cause of death in the Mumbai case remains unconfirmed. Importantly, there is no scientific or medical confirmation that “injected watermelon” caused the deaths, nor any evidence supporting claims that watermelon and biryani together create a toxic reaction in the human body.

According to him, the real issue is not the food combination, but the rapid spread of misleading narratives that distort public understanding of food safety.

Experts acknowledge that isolated incidents of adulteration have been reported, where unethical practices such as injecting sugar solutions, dyes, or chemicals into fruits have occurred to enhance appearance or sweetness. Artificial ripening and pesticide misuse are also documented concerns in some supply chains.

However, Dr. Ayyagari clarified that such cases are not as widespread as social media suggests. The term “injected fruits” is often used loosely, mixing multiple issues such as chemical ripening, contamination, poor hygiene, and improper storage.

Most foodborne illnesses, he noted, are actually caused by everyday hygiene failures like contaminated water, unsafe handling, dirty cutting surfaces, and lack of refrigeration.

Debunking Myths

The nutritionist also debunked several common myths surrounding food safety and eating habits. He clarified that smell alone does not determine whether food is safe to consume, as dangerous bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella may not change the smell or appearance of contaminated food. He further noted that reheating food does not always make it completely safe, since certain bacteria can leave behind toxins that survive even high temperatures. Addressing another widespread belief, Dr. Ayyagari said street food is not inherently unsafe, stressing that hygiene standards matter far more than the location or price of the food. He also dismissed the popular claim that consuming watermelon and biryani together is toxic, stating that there is no scientific evidence to support such a notion.

Can Consumers detect Adulteration? Only Partially

Signs such as unusual color bleeding, puncture marks, chemical smell, or overly shiny surfaces may raise suspicion. However, experts stress that many contaminants are invisible and cannot be identified through appearance alone.

Natural variations in fruit color or shine are often mistaken for adulteration.

Doctors highlight that the biggest threats come from poor storage, contaminated water, improper refrigeration, undercooked food, and cross-contamination,rather than dramatic viral fears.

Severe or sudden symptoms in rare cases may indicate toxin exposure, but most food poisoning cases cause gastrointestinal illness, not instant collapse. Experts point out that while food safety vigilance is important, panic driven by viral content is misleading. The focus should remain on hygiene, safe handling, and scientific understanding, not social media fear cycles. Dr Krupan Kumar B, MD Internal Medicine and Senior Consultant Physician at Apollo, noted that food poisoning cases are increasingly being reported across cities and even rural areas.   He said that “abnormally fast-growing unseasonal fruits” are often at the center of such concerns. According to him, chemicals and pesticides are sometimes used to make fruits appear more ripened and visually appealing, a practice seen both in cultivation and distribution chains.