Aizawl DC Orders Compensation in Food Poisoning Case

WHEREAS, on 9th October 2026, 14 (fourteen) persons fell ill with stomach ache, fever and diarrhea after consuming food items (chicken egg roll / chicken momos) prepared and sold by M/s Babies Online Kitchen, Rangvamual, Aizawl, owned and operated by Smt. Irene Zothansangi (hereinafter referred to as "the noticee");

AND WHEREAS, laboratory analysis at the Department of Microbiology, Zoram Medical College, established the presence of pathogenic organisms (E. coli) in the food sample, and stool samples of all 14 (fourteen) affected persons tested positive for the same pathogen, establishing the said food as the source of the illness;

AND WHEREAS, the establishment was operating without a valid licence from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), in contravention of the said Act, whereupon Show Cause Notice No. C.13019/1/2025-DCA(JUD)/21 dated 4th November 2026 was issued to the noticee;

AND WHEREAS, the case was heard on 9th November 2026 at 11:00 AM in the office chamber of the undersigned, the noticee having been afforded a reasonable opportunity of being heard in accordance with sub- section (2) of Section 68 of the Act, with the Designated Officer (Food Safety), Directorate of Health Services, associated with the proceedings, and the contraventions stand established on the material on record;

NOW, THEREFORE, in exercise of the powers conferred under Section 68 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and having regard to the findings above, it is hereby ordered as follows:

A penalty of Rs 20,000/- (Rupees Twenty Thousand) only is imposed on the noticee, Smt. Irene Zothansangi, M/s Babies Online Kitchen, for carrying on the food business without a valid FSSAI licence, in contravention of Section 63 of the Act'. The penalty shall be paid within 14 (fourteen) days from the date of this order.

The noticee shall pay compensation of Rs 1,500/- (Rupees One Thousand Five Hundred) only to each of the 14 (fourteen) affected persons, aggregating Rs 21,000/- (Rupees Twenty-One Thousand) only, under sub-section (1) of Section 65 of the Act. The compensation shall be paid at the earliest and in any case not later than 2 (two) weeks from the date of this order.

Both amounts shall be deposited with the Designated Officer (Food Safety), Directorate of Health Services, Government of Mizoram, who shall arrange disbursement of the compensation to the 14 affected persons and take further necessary action.

4. In the event of failure to pay the penalty, the amount shall stand recoverable as per Section 96 of the Act.

Any person aggrieved by this order may prefer an appeal to the Food Safety Appellate Tribunal under Section 70 of the Act, within 30 days from the date of receipt of this order, in accordance with Rule 3.3.1 of the Food Safety and Standards Rules, 2011.

Given under my hand and seal on this day, the 9th November, 2026.