Indian teen dies from infectious bacteria in Shawarma and over 50 hospitalized
May 7, 2022, 8:45 am

Indian teen dies from infectious bacteria in Shawarma and over 50 hospitalized

More than 52 people reportedly fell sick after eating the popular Levantine dish (Shawarma) from the south-Indian town’s local eatery on April 29 and 30 (Photo: Pixabay)

The Alarabyia English reported, Indian national media reported that a 16-year-old fell sick and died after eating a shawarma from an eatery in the Indian state of Kerala on May 1, with the latest findings pointing at a shigella infection caused by bacterium of the same name.

More than 52 people reportedly fell sick after eating the popular Levantine dish from the south-Indian town’s local eatery on April 29 and 30.

The New Indian Express (TNIE) reported citing police, Devananda, the only fatality among the 52, had shawarma from the snack bar on both days.

However, all the sick required treatment with seven people in intensive care units across three hospitals. Their conditions are stable according to the district’s medical officer Dr. A. V. Ramdas, cited by TNIE.

Crowded street in Delhi, India (File photo: Pixabay)

The youngest patient is a two-and-a-half-year-old girl, and the oldest is a 39-year-old man.

The highly contagious intestinal infection is caused by “unhygienic, undercooked or contaminated food and water,” said the medical officer in the same report.

Diarrhea is the main symptom, he continued, adding that stomach pain, fever, vomiting, tiredness, and bloody excrement can also be evident.

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TNIE reported, while death is not common for an individual with the shigella infection, a weak immune system or the pathogen’s resistance to antibiotics can prove fatal.

The current hot and humid weather conditions in Kerala call for safer handling of food and its preservation, especially if it has animal origin, to prevent similar food poisoning incidents.

According to local media, police have reportedly arrested the owner and staff behind the eatery.

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TNIE reported that an angry crowd threw stones at the snacks bar and shattered its window panes and set on fire a van linked to the eatery.

The operation was reportedly unlicensed, prompting authorities to conduct strict inspections at eateries, including hotels and food outlets that may be operating in a similar fashion.

According to local media reports, news of the teen’s death also compelled Kerala’s neighboring state Tamil Nadu to crackdown on shawarma sellers who fail to maintain hygiene. In the initial inspection run, one shop was found to be without a license.

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While licensing is mandatory for restaurants under FSSAI (Foods Safety and Standard Act), including for streetside vendors, oversight is lax in most parts of the country.

In this instance that saw large public outcry, the Kerala state’s High Court initiated a public interest litigation (PIL) and asked authorities about the steps they have taken or will take to ensure food safety.

Source: alarabyiaenglish

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).

Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.