Pune’s Meat and Seafood Declared Safe Amid Guillain-Barré Syndrome Concerns: PMC

Pune’s Meat and Seafood Declared Safe Amid Guillain-Barré Syndrome Concerns: PMC
Pune: The Veterinary Department of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has confirmed that all tested samples of meat and seafood have met safety standards, providing relief to consumers and business owners. The inspections were conducted as part of a broader food safety initiative following concerns related to Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), a rare neurological disorder.
Following directives from the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA), PMC’s veterinary inspection team conducted a large-scale inspection of meat shops and seafood vendors across Pune. A total of 191 meat shops were visited to ensure compliance with food safety and hygiene standards. Eleven samples of raw meat and seafood were collected and sent to a laboratory in Kondhwa for testing. The results, received on February 4, confirmed that all samples were free from contamination and met the required safety norms.
The initiative stemmed from a video conference held on January 28, 2025, with the Chief Secretary of Maharashtra, during which food safety concerns were discussed. In response, the FDA conducted an extensive survey of raw chicken samples on January 29, 2025, covering the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), Pune Rural, and Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) areas. As part of this survey, 60 raw chicken samples were collected from 54 chicken shops and sent for laboratory analysis. Additionally, between January 27 and January 28, inspections were carried out at 52 food establishments to ensure compliance with hygiene and safety standards.
Guidelines for Food Establishments
Authorities have issued instructions to meat and seafood vendors to maintain high hygiene standards, including:
Using clean, disinfected, and potable water for food preparation.
Maintaining hygiene and cleanliness at their premises.
Serving fresh, fully cooked food to minimize health risks.
PMC’s Health Advisory
PMC has also issued a public advisory emphasizing food and water hygiene to prevent potential outbreaks of waterborne and food-related illnesses. The key recommendations include:
Boiling and filtering drinking water before consumption.
Thorough washing of vegetables and fruits.
Cooking poultry and meat to an internal temperature of at least 75°C.
Avoiding raw or undercooked food, especially seafood and eggs.
Disinfecting kitchen surfaces and utensils after handling raw meat.
Practicing hand hygiene, particularly before handling food and after using the toilet.
Additionally, PMC has advised individuals to seek immediate medical attention if they experience muscle weakness, numbness, or difficulty walking—symptoms that could indicate Guillain-Barré Syndrome.
The confirmation of safe meat and seafood has brought relief to Pune residents, particularly in light of recent health concerns. Business owners in the meat and seafood industry have also welcomed the results, as they validate their adherence to stringent safety protocols.
Reassuring the public, Health Officer of PMC, stated, “Our team has worked diligently to uphold food safety standards across the city. The latest test results confirm that there is no contamination in the samples we collected. Consumers can be assured of the quality of meat and seafood available in the market.”