Woman develops Salmonella infection after eating at cafe, gets hospitalised for a week; Consumer commission orders outlet to pay Rs 96,500 including hospital expenses

A woman from Kerala fell ill after eating at a biryani cafe and later spent a week in hospital after doctors told her she had developed a Salmonella infection. She approached the consumer commission, alleging that the food had made her sick and that the cafe failed to take responsibility for her condition.

The Pathanamthitta District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has now directed the cafe's proprietor and manager to jointly pay her Rs 96,500. The amount includes her hospital expenses, compensation for the trouble she faced and litigation costs, according to PTI.

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Woman noticed something was wrong with the food

Reena Thomas from Vechoochira had visited King's Biriyani Cafe in Chethonkara, Ranni, with her sister on October 21, 2025. The two ordered alfaham and started eating.

Thomas told the commission that she noticed something unusual about the taste soon after they began eating. She informed the waiter, but alleged that he dismissed her concern and said there was nothing wrong with the food.

Her sister stopped eating much of it, while they packed the remaining food. Thomas paid Rs 740 for the meal using her debit card.

Things changed while she was travelling home.

She fell ill after eating at the cafe and spent a week in hospital

Thomas alleged that she began suffering from vomiting and stomach pain on her way back home. She later developed dizziness, weakness and continued vomiting.

She first received treatment at a hospital in Vechoochira. As her condition did not improve, she was admitted to another hospital in Kanjirappally, where she remained for a week.

According to her complaint, doctors told her that she had developed a Salmonella infection after consuming undercooked or stale food. Salmonella is a bacteria that can cause foodborne illness, with contaminated food among the common routes of infection.

Thomas's son later contacted the cafe and informed its operators about her condition. He alleged that the response was rude and that the cafe offered Rs 6,000 towards the matter. The family did not accept the offer.

Consumer commission finds allegations against cafe proved

Thomas then approached the Pathanamthitta District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission.

The commission issued notices to the cafe's proprietor, Ashish John Mathew, and its manager in Ranni. While the proprietor appeared before the commission, the manager did not appear despite receiving the notice.

The commission examined Thomas, the proprietor and the documents submitted in the case. It also considered the hospital discharge summary while deciding the complaint.

After examining the material before it, the commission held that the allegations against the two opposite parties had been substantiated.

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Cafe ordered to pay Rs 96,500

The commission directed the proprietor and manager to jointly pay Rs 96,500 to Thomas within 30 days.

The amount includes Rs 36,500 towards hospital expenses, Rs 50,000 as compensation and Rs 10,000 towards litigation expenses.

The order was passed by commission president Babychan Vechoochira and member Nishad Thankappan.

(With PTI inputs)