Tamil Nadu health minister asks to avoid eating shawarma

Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma Subramanian said people should avoid eating shawarma because it is not part of Indian cuisine. His comments come a week after 58 people fell ill and a young girl died after consuming shawarma in Kasargod.

The minister said shawarma is a western food and it might suit western countries due to their climate. "The temperature tend to go to minus degrees in those areas". He added that the meat will not get spoiled in those regions due to the cold temperature.

However, shawarma is a popular Middle Eastern dish and is familiar with hot days.

Subramanian further said all meat items will get spoiled if they are not kept in a freezer or under other proper conditions. "Eating those spoiled items will cause serious health issues". He added many shawarma shops in the country do not have proper storage facilities and the meat is kept outside which exposes them to dust.

In Kerala, pathogenic salmonella and shigella were detected in the 'shawarma' samples collected from the restaurant.

"Those who are selling shawarma also do not really bother whether they have the provision to keep this processed meat". He alleged that the shopkeepers only think of the business angle and put the meat on display to grab attention, reported The Indian Express.

He said the Food Safety Department of Tamil Nadu has been instructed to inspect such shops across the state after receiving two-three complaints. "Close to 1,000 shops have been fined for not having the requisite facilities. We are going to continue this drive and take necessary action".