Five people were hospitalized after allegedly consuming dry ice-served mouth freshener in Gurugram cafe. They complained of a burning sensation and vomited blood. The cafe manager was arrested by the police.
A complaint was filed by Ankit Kumar, a resident of Greater Noida. According to the complaint, Ankit Kumar with his wife and his friends went to Laforestta cafe in the Gurugram sector 90 on Saturday for dinner. After having dinner they served mouth freshener and five people in the group consumed it. After having the mouth freshener they felt a burning sensation in their mouths and started bleeding. They were screaming and crying in pain. Even one of the men started vomiting on the restaurant floor while a woman put ice in her mouth and repeatedly said that it’s burning. The entire incident was recorded in a video and went viral all over social media.
Soon all five people were hospitalized and two of them are in critical condition. Ankit Kumar said that they don't know what mixed in the mouth freshener. Their mouths are burning. Don't know what type of acid is given to them.
Ankit Kumar in his complaint said that he showed the mouth freshener packet to the doctor, who said it was dry ice. As per the doctor, it is an acid which can lead to death.
Based on the complaint, an FIR (First Information Report) was filed at Kherki Daula police station on Sunday, against the restaurant owner under section 328 (causing hurt means of poison) and 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the IPC (Indian Penal Code). The police arrested the cafe manager.
The station house officer inspector said that they are investigating the matter and action will be taken as per the law.
Dry ice is a form of solid carbon dioxide. It is extremely cold with a temperature of -78 degrees Celsius. The production procedure of dry ice involves compressing and cooling gaseous carbon dioxide (Co2) under high pressure to generate liquid carbon dioxide. Dry ice contains an unusual characteristic of sublimation, where it can convert directly into carbon dioxide gas instead of liquid when it breaks down. Because of the sublimation quality and extreme cold temperature, it is an exceptional alternative for refrigeration. Due to the extremely cold temperature, the consumption of dry ice can lead to damage to the skin and internal organs and direct contact can cause frostbite.
As per the FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India), the US FDA (Food and Drug Administration ), and CDC (Centres for Disease Control and Prevention) both dry ice and liquid nitrogen are categorized as lethal substances which are unsuited for consumption.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Lavanya Beeraboina/MSM)