FDA raids bakery after 11 ill from cake with dead lizard

Eleven people, including seven children, were hospitalised after eating a birthday cake that allegedly contained a dead lizard in Nala Sopara, Palghar district, Maharashtra, police said on Sunday. Three of the children are in the ICU. The Food and Drug Administration raided the bakery and cancelled its licence.

The incident occurred on Saturday evening when children brought the cake to a 25-year-old woman's birthday party. Shortly after eating, they felt a burning sensation in their chests and vomited. The children claimed they found a dead lizard inside. Tulinj police visited the hospital, seized samples, and sent them for testing.

Vasai-Virar mayor Ajeev Patil said the local body is investigating and has alerted the FDA. Dr Vidya Sawant of Vijayalakshmi Hospital said all affected are stable. The exact cause of the poisoning will be known after analysis.