Chennai: State Health Minister Ma Subramanian has requested people to avoid eating shawarma, saying it is not a part of Indian cuisine. He said people should avoid eating those that may affect their health.

His comments came after 58 people fell ill and a young girl died after consuming shawarma on 1 May from an eatery in Kerala’s Kasaragod district.

Health experts say that not just stale food, but the chemicals that are added in the ingredients and contaminated water too could be the cause of food poisoning.

Careless handling of food items and storing them in unhygienic conditions could cause bacterial infections. The symptoms would show within two or three hours of having contaminated food or on the next day. The infection could affect the brain and the functioning of the nervous system, even causing death, they add.

Asked about the symptoms, they say Vomiting, nausea, dysentery, stomach ache, body pain, lack of appetite, gastric problems, fever, exhaustion, severe headache, dizziness, traces of blood in stool, uneven heart beats and unconsciousness due low levels of sodium and potassium are some of the symptoms of food poisoning. ‘If the symptoms persist or are severe, do not hesitate to seek medical help’.

Drinking boiled and cooled water, tender coconut water and ORS solution could replenish the body. However, treatment should be sought if the symptoms persist or worsens, they say.