Thaindian News

Dhaka, March 23 (IANS) Authorities here have enforced stricter quality norms for food supply to personnel on World Cup duty after around 90 securitymen fell ill and had to be rushed to hospital after they consumed contaminated chicken biryani.

“The security personnel are admitted in the Dhaka Police Hospital. It is a case of food contamination. The chicken biryani was supplied by a local contractor,” Director, Security of the local organising committee, Colonel Mesbahuddin Sherniyabat told IANS Wednesday.

The security personnel on duty at the Sher-e-Bangla National stadium and the team hotel in the capital complained of diarrhoea, vomiting and headache after they ate the food Tuesday afternoon.

“None of them are serious now and will be released soon,” Sherniyabat said.

He said five persons have been taken into custody for being allegedly involved in supplying the contaminated food.

“We feel the food got contaminated due to delay in the supply and distribution process. But we can pinpoint the exact cause once we get the detailed report from the laboratory where the food has been given for testing,” he said.

Following the incident, strict directives have been issued to the contractors and all those associated with the supply process to ensure there was no delay in reaching the food to the various personnel on duty for the World Cup.

“People concerned have been asked to strictly monitor food quality and ensure fast distribution so that the food does not become stale,” the Colonel said.

The stadium, the host for Wednesday’s quarter final game between West Indies and Pakistan, would also hold another last-eight fixture featuring South Africa and New Zealand Friday.