NHRC Takes Suo Motu Cognizance of Food Poisoning Incidents in Andhra Pradesh

In the first incident, 70 students at Chittoor Apollo Health University suffered severe health issues after consuming contaminated food.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of India has taken suo motu cognizance of recent media reports detailing two serious incidents of food poisoning in Andhra Pradesh, which occurred on August 19th and 21st, 2024. These incidents have raised significant concerns about the violation of human rights due to negligence in food safety.

In the first incident, 70 students at Chittoor Apollo Health University suffered severe health issues after consuming contaminated food. They are currently receiving treatment at Chittoor Government Hospital. In the second incident, three children tragically died, and 37 others fell ill due to food poisoning at an orphanage in Anakapalli district. The affected children have been admitted to various hospitals in Anakapalli and Vishakhapatnam.

The NHRC observed that the reported incidents suggest a serious breach of human rights, particularly regarding the negligence of authorities in ensuring proper food quality and safeguarding the health of those affected.

In response, the Commission has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, Andhra Pradesh, requesting a detailed report on both incidents within two weeks. The report is expected to cover the status of the FIRs, the health conditions of the victims, and the measures taken or proposed to prevent such incidents from recurring in the future.