Greater Noida West: Kuttu atta turns hazardous for three residential society residents, 70 fall ill on Mahashivratri

Gautam Nagar police have sealed a shop in Royal Court Society and a primary warehouse in Chipiyana Buzurg after multiple cases of suspected food poisoning were reported across three residential societies in Greater Noida West. Four people, including the warehouse owner, have been detained, reports TOI.

The action followed reports that residents of Supertech Ecovillage-3, Royal Court Society and Himalayan Pride Society fell ill after consuming meals prepared with a specific batch of kuttu (buckwheat) flour during Mahashivratri on Sunday. At least 70 people across the three societies reportedly experienced symptoms after breaking their fasts with food made from the flour.

The Bisrakh police registered an FIR under Section 275 (sale of noxious food or drink) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and relevant provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, based on a complaint by a food safety officer. Police teams inspected shops in the affected societies and collected samples of buckwheat flour from identified outlets. Irregularities were found at Prashant General Store in Royal Court Society, following which the shop was sealed. Subsequent inspection of the warehouse supplying the batch also revealed irregularities, leading to its closure. The food department is continuing to collect samples from other outlets for further action as per law.


According to the food department, the buckwheat flour was traced to a single manufacturing unit, HD Spices, located in Chipiyana Buzurg village in Greater Noida West. The manufacturer had obtained a supply licence from the Ghaziabad food department. Officials said the affected batch was purchased through quick-delivery applications as well as local grocery and ration stores.

Assistant Commissioner of Food, Noida, Sarvesh Kumar, said the source was traced based on patient statements and that samples had been collected from shops, warehouses and the manufacturer for investigation. He added that laboratory tests would determine whether the cause was bacterial contamination, fungal toxins or adulteration.

Residents reported nausea, vomiting, stomach ache and dizziness on Sunday night. Ajay Sharma, a resident of Supertech Ecovillage-3, said he, his wife and daughter began feeling unwell around 10 pm after eating kuttu flour rotis for dinner and were later admitted to Max Hospital in Sector 128. Madan Malik, a senior citizen from the same society, said he and his wife were admitted to the ICU at Kailash Hospital in Sector 71 after consuming kuttu roti during the fast.

Komal, a resident of Himalayan Pride Society admitted at Numed Hospital along with her family, said she had purchased the flour from a local ration shop and prepared pooris, after which they developed stomach ache and vomiting.

Hospital officials reported multiple admissions. An official at Numed Hospital said around 35 patients arrived with food poisoning symptoms around 11 pm on Sunday; 12 were discharged after preliminary treatment, while approximately 25 remained admitted under observation as of Monday, with conditions reported as stable. Kailash Hospital, Sector 71, admitted four patients, of whom three were discharged on Monday, while one elderly patient with comorbidities remained admitted. Yatharth Hospital in Greater Noida West reported receiving 28 patients, including women, men and children, with complaints of loose motions, headache and diarrhoea, all of whom were admitted for treatment.

Medical experts noted that buckwheat flour is often stored for extended periods due to infrequent use. Dr Ajay Rana, CMS, Noida District Hospital, said prolonged storage can lead to deterioration in quality, potentially causing digestive problems, and advised consumers to grind buckwheat seeds fresh at home to reduce such risks.

(With inputs from TOI)