In a Disturbing Discovery, Fruit Vendors in Mumbai Found Using Rat Poison on Fruits
A shocking incident has come to light in Mumbai's Malad West area, where two fruit vendors were arrested after a video revealed them applying rat poison to fruits meant for sale. The video, which quickly spread on social media, showed one of the vendors handling bananas while spreading a cream-like substance, raising concerns among residents already vigilant about street food hygiene.
The substance, identified as Ratol, a commercially available rat-killing product containing toxic chemicals like yellow phosphorus, was found on the vendors' roadside stall, which has since been sealed. The accused, Manoj Sangamlal Kesarwani (42) and Rahul Sadanlal Kesarwani (25), both residents of Rajanpada in Malad West, were produced before the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court in Borivali.
The vendors admitted to using the substance to deter rats from damaging their stock overnight, but health officials and experts have warned that applying such a highly toxic compound to edible items poses severe risks, including vomiting, abdominal pain, organ damage, and potentially fatal poisoning if ingested. The video, which circulated rapidly on social media, captured one of the vendors handling bananas while appearing to spread the cream-like product, heightening alarm among residents already vigilant about street food hygiene.
Local residents have called for stricter and more frequent inspections by food safety authorities, including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), to prevent similar practices. Police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and investigations are continuing. This incident highlights the need for stringent measures to ensure the safety of food items sold in public spaces, and it remains to be seen what further actions will be taken to prevent such practices from occurring again.
