Kota food poisoning: 115 ill, 12 hospitalised after golgappas in Polai Khurd
Synopsis
A single street-food cart sickened 115 people — many of them children — in a Kota village overnight, sending 12 to hospital. With food safety samples now in a lab and a door-to-door health survey underway, the scale of the outbreak has put Rajasthan's food safety enforcement under the spotlight.
Key Takeaways
Around 115 people , including many children, fell ill after eating golgappas from a street vendor in Polai Khurd village , Kota district , on 15 July .
12 patients were admitted to CHC Simliya with symptoms of vomiting, diarrhoea, and severe stomach pain.
Two medical teams and a 108 ambulance were deployed; a special health camp was set up in the village.
The Food Safety Department has collected samples of the golgappas, ingredients, and water for laboratory analysis.
The vendor is reportedly a resident of Sholi village ; action will follow if negligence or food safety violations are established.
Most patients are reported stable ; a door-to-door survey by ANMs and ASHA workers is ongoing.
Around 115 people, including a large number of children, fell ill after consuming golgappas (pani-patasi) from a street vendor in Polai Khurd village, under the Simliya area of Digod subdivision in Kota district, Rajasthan, on the night of Tuesday, 15 July. Twelve of the affected individuals have been admitted to the Community Health Centre (CHC), Simliya, after presenting with vomiting, diarrhoea, and severe stomach pain.
How the Outbreak Unfolded
Symptoms began emerging among villagers on Tuesday night, shortly after they consumed golgappas from the street cart. As the number of affected individuals grew rapidly, family members rushed patients to nearby hospitals and health centres. The scale of cases prompted the Health Department to declare an emergency response and establish a special medical camp within the village.
Two dedicated medical teams, supported by a 108 ambulance, were deployed on the orders of Block Chief Medical and Health Officer (BCMO) Dr Rajesh Samar. Critically ill patients were transferred to CHC Simliya, while those with milder symptoms are being treated at the village camp itself.
Official Response and Ground Assessment
Sub-Divisional Officer Deepak Mahawar and BCMO Rajesh Samar visited Polai Khurd on Wednesday morning to assess the ground situation. Kota Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) Narendra Nagar also inspected the medical arrangements to ensure adequate care for the affected residents.
Health Department personnel — including ANMs and ASHA workers — have launched a door-to-door survey across the village to identify any additional cases and provide timely assistance. Officials confirmed the situation is under continuous monitoring.
Food Safety Samples Collected, Probe Underway
The Food Safety Department has collected samples of the golgappas, their ingredients, and the water used in their preparation. Water samples from the vendor's source have also been dispatched to a laboratory for analysis. Preliminary reports indicate the vendor is a resident of Sholi village.
SDO Deepak Mahawar stated that all aspects of the incident are under investigation. Authorities have indicated that appropriate action will be taken against those found responsible if the probe establishes food safety violations or negligence.
Patient Condition and Outlook
BCMO Rajesh Samar confirmed that patients began arriving at health facilities on Tuesday night and that medical teams have since been treating all affected individuals. Most patients are reported to be in a stable condition. The Health Department, however, continues to monitor the situation as a precautionary measure, given the large number of people exposed.
This incident adds to a recurring pattern of street-food-linked mass illness outbreaks in rural Rajasthan, particularly during summer months when food contamination risk is heightened. Laboratory results are awaited and are expected to determine the precise cause of the outbreak.
Point of View
But the scale here — 115 affected in a single village overnight — signals a systemic gap in roadside food safety monitoring. The fact that children were among the worst affected raises questions about vendor hygiene compliance and whether local food safety inspections are frequent or merely reactive. Laboratory results will be the real test: if contaminated water is confirmed as the vector, the spotlight shifts from the vendor alone to the broader question of safe water access in Digod subdivision. Accountability must follow the evidence, not just the headline.
NationPress
16 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the food poisoning in Kota's Polai Khurd village?
Around 115 people fell ill after eating golgappas from a street vendor in Polai Khurd village, Kota, on the night of 15 July. The exact cause is yet to be confirmed; the Food Safety Department has collected samples of the food, ingredients, and water for laboratory analysis.
How many people were hospitalised in the Kota golgappa poisoning case?
Twelve people were admitted to the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Simliya with symptoms including vomiting, diarrhoea, and severe stomach pain. Most patients are reported to be in a stable condition.
What action has the Rajasthan government taken?
The Health Department deployed two medical teams and a 108 ambulance, and set up a special health camp in Polai Khurd village. Senior officials including CMHO Narendra Nagar and SDO Deepak Mahawar visited the site, and a door-to-door survey is underway to identify additional cases.
Who is the street vendor linked to the outbreak?
Preliminary reports indicate the vendor is a resident of Sholi village. Authorities have said that appropriate action will be taken if the investigation establishes food safety violations or negligence on the vendor's part.
When will the laboratory results be available?
The Food Safety Department has dispatched samples to a laboratory, but no official timeline for results has been announced. The findings are expected to determine whether contaminated water or ingredients were responsible for the outbreak.
