CHENNAI: The well-known SS Hyderabad Biryani outlet in Kodungaiyur, North Chennai, was sealed on September 19, 2024, following multiple reports of food poisoning. Around 40 to 45 customers reported symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhoea after consuming biryani from the outlet on September 16.
According to Dr. P. Satheeshkumar, the designated food safety officer who led the inspection, several customers began experiencing symptoms within three hours of consuming the meal. Many affected individuals were treated at the Communicable Diseases Hospital in Tondiarpet, while others sought care in private hospitals. Ten patients were treated as outpatients and later discharged.
இப்படிப்பட்ட செய்திகளை சில செய்திகளை போல பணம் வாங்கிக்கொண்டு கடை பெயரை மறைக்காமல் வெளியிட்ட ஆண்மை உள்ள பாலிமருக்கு வாழ்த்துக்கள் 👏 pic.twitter.com/zx3ZBXOjEU
— PTR Thiyagarajan WTL (@LionPRajan1) September 19, 2024
The formal complaint against the restaurant was filed on September 18, prompting swift action from the authorities, who shut down the establishment the following day. During the inspection, the team found the kitchen in an unhygienic condition. However, they were unable to collect food samples for testing, as all food items had been removed by the restaurant management before the inspection.
#JUSITN எஸ்.எஸ்.ஹைதராபாத் பிரியாணி உணவகத்திற்கு சீல்#Biryani #sshyderabad #Foodsafety #News18tamilnadu | https://t.co/7dpn9FCtgj pic.twitter.com/fB7kQHd61k
— News18 Tamil Nadu (@News18TamilNadu) September 20, 2024
Despite the closure, local residents raised concerns about the delayed response in sealing the restaurant, especially given the seriousness of the incident. The outlet will remain closed until the management provides the necessary documents, including a valid operating licence, within the next 15 days.
சிக்கன் ஃபிரைட் ரைஸ் சாப்பிட்டவர்களுக்கு உடல் நலக்குறைவு.. ஆய்வில் சிக்கிய காலாவதியான பொருட்கள்.. அதிரடி காட்டிய அதிகாரிகள்#Cuddalore | #ChickenFriedRice | #Seal | #FoodSafetyOfficer | #PolimerNews pic.twitter.com/6GfYoY4Sc4
— Polimer News (@polimernews) September 20, 2024
In a viral video, one of the victims expressed his frustration and pleaded with the police to take immediate action. “Everyone has the same symptoms – vomiting, loose motions, headache, fever. My daughter was diagnosed with typhoid. My wife is also admitted. I have all the proof,” he stated, while showing a receipt from his meal at the restaurant. The police, who were present at the scene, recorded the gathering and advised the affected party to file a formal complaint.
Despite locals calling for the restaurant’s immediate closure, it was sealed the next day after an inspection by food safety officials revealed unhygienic conditions in the kitchen. However, no food samples were collected for testing, as the management had already removed all food items. The Greater Chennai Corporation is still investigating whether food poisoning was definitively the cause of the illnesses, with some families reporting they had eaten “bucket biryani” from the outlet.
In a parallel incident, 22-year-old Swetha, a school teacher from Noombal, Chennai, died on September 18, 2024, after allegedly suffering food poisoning from shawarma. Swetha had reportedly eaten shawarma from a local fast food restaurant on September 17, after which she began experiencing severe vomiting and fainting spells. Despite being taken to a nearby hospital and later transferred to Stanley Government Hospital, her condition deteriorated, and she passed away the following day. Authorities are awaiting the autopsy report to confirm whether food poisoning was the cause of her death.
Swetha’s family recounted that she had eaten both shawarma and fish curry on the same day, making it unclear which food item may have led to her illness. Her sudden death has prompted calls for stricter food safety regulations, especially concerning street food and fast food vendors, which are popular among residents.
These two incidents have sparked widespread concern over the safety of food served in local restaurants, with both residents and health officials urging immediate action to prevent further occurrences. The Greater Chennai Corporation and police are continuing their investigations into both cases, and stricter enforcement of food safety standards is being demanded by the public.
