Child Hospitalised After Lizard Found in Ice Cream
A disturbing incident in Ludhiana’s Giaspura area has raised serious concerns about public health. A seven-year-old child was reportedly hospitalised after a dead lizard was found in an ice cream cone purchased from a local street vendor.
Incident Sparks Panic
According to residents of the Sunder Nagar locality in Giaspura, the child had purchased two ice creams from a vendor operating in the area. As he began eating one of them at home, he reportedly discovered a dead lizard inside the cone. Shocked and scared, he immediately informed his grandmother, who then alerted others in the neighbourhood.
Child Taken to Hospital
Following the discovery, the child began feeling unwell and was quickly taken to a local hospital for medical care. Fortunately, sources later confirmed that the child was treated and is now in stable condition. However, the incident created panic among residents and drew attention to potential hygiene and safety issues in locally sold food products.
Vendor Confronted by Angry Locals
What made matters worse, according to eyewitnesses, was that the vendor allegedly continued selling ice cream even after being informed about the dead lizard. This led to growing anger among residents, who then confronted the vendor. Eventually, they took his cart to the nearby police station, where a formal complaint was filed.
Questions Raised About Ice Cream Safety
Residents are now demanding accountability. Many are questioning the quality control measures in local ice cream production units. While the vendor reportedly claimed that he only sells pre-packaged ice cream from a company and does not manufacture it himself, the presence of a lizard has raised concerns about manufacturing and packaging practices.
Health Department Steps In
In response to the public outcry, officials from the health department have taken note of the situation. District Health Officer Dr. Amarjit Kaur confirmed that her team has been informed and will begin collecting samples from the associated ice cream manufacturing unit. She assured the public that action would be taken in line with existing health and safety regulations.
“We are treating this as a serious matter. Food safety must be maintained, especially when children are involved,” said Dr. Kaur.
Conclusion
This incident underscores the urgent need for stricter food safety checks, particularly in the case of street food and pre-packaged frozen items. Regular inspections of food vendors and manufacturing units are essential to protect public health and prevent such incidents from occurring again.
If you or your child ever experience unusual symptoms after consuming food or notice something abnormal in any edible product, seek immediate medical attention and report the issue to local health authorities.
Source: Inputs from various media Sources
Priya Bairagi
Reviewed by Dr Aarti Nehra (MBBS, MMST)
I’m a pharmacist with a strong background in health sciences. I hold a BSc from Delhi University and a pharmacy degree from PDM University. I write articles and daily health news while interviewing doctors to bring you the latest insights. In my free time, you’ll find me at the gym or lost in a sci-fi novel.
