Can one die of watermelon poisoning? Doctors weigh in on rare Mumbai case

What seems strange is the timing of death and how the condition progressed in just 24 hours. Also, bodies respond differently to the same infection, said an expert.

In a disturbing case, a family of four in Mumbai succumbed to death after consuming watermelon. The incident, which occurred on April 26, has sent a shock wave across the country and made people speculate the alleged food poisoning caused by a harmless seasonal fruit.

Although rare, contaminated watermelon can cause serious illness in people, experts have said.

As per the reports, the couple Abdullah (40) and Nasreen (35) and their two minor daughters, Zainab and Ayesha were attending a family get-together in South Mumbai alongside five other relatives. 

Allegedly, the family had biryani rice with other relatives at around 10:30 pm on April 25 (Saturday) evening. Following the consumption of chicken rice, no complaints were raised regarding any symptoms of uneasiness.

As per media reports, when the extended family left after the feast, the remaining four allegedly bonded over a watermelon. 

Around 5 am in the morning, following the feast, the gastrointestinal discomfort started to set in all four members of the family. This included symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea.

A doctor living in the same building was called on by neighbours to provide the emergency aid. Allegedly, he found Zainab having froth in her mouth with an untraceable pulse and the rest of the family remained somewhat semi-conscious. They were immediately rushed to the nearest hospital one after the other.

Zainab first succumbed to the symptoms, followed by the mother (Nasreen), another daughter (Ayesha) and then Abdulla (father). All of them allegedly lost lives in a gap of short intervals, the police informed.

While their post mortem reports are awaited, the doctors at the JJ Hospital (where they were admitted) seemed puzzled with a watermelon alone could causing this fatality. As per reports, the kidneys of the deceased were prominently affected. 

Can watermelon cause death?

As per experts, watermelon which is grown on ground, can pick up pathogens all along the way from the field up till the fruit cart where it is stored. Some common bacteria like salmonella or E.coli which can settle on its surface.

If the consumer doesn’t wash the fruit or their hands, these pathogens can either find a way into the fruit pulp or into a person’s digestive tract.

However, some experts feel a watermelon alone cannot cause this fatality.

Speaking to DH, Dr Rishikesh Malokar, a senior gastroenterologist and hepatologist at the Zynova Shalby Hospital (Mumbai) said, “I won’t say a contaminated watermelon cannot cause illness, it certainly can make a person experience food poisoning. However, what seems strange is the timing of death and how the condition progressed in just 24 hours."

"Also, bodies respond differently to the same infection. Some develop serious symptoms, others show mild sickness. If you see closely, all four differed in age, including two children. No two people can have the exact genetic susceptibility to an infection. So I wouldn’t say with conviction that a watermelon alone caused it. However, postmortem reports and detailed biochemical analysis will give the last verdict.”

The expert also informed that a fruit contaminated with high levels of pesticides residues can cause hypotension (drop in blood pressure) and other serious symptoms that can account for a medical emergency.

According to a report by Cleveland Clinic, organophosphate poisoning associated with watermelon is a rare but severe foodborne medical condition that can cause life-threatening symptoms to emerge in no time, including nausea, muscle tremors, seizures, respiratory distress.

This is possible when the levels of the chemical exceeds the safe limits and causes acute toxic reactions in the body.

Likewise, Dr Sarath Narayan, a consultant emergency physician at Baby Memorial Hospital (Kannur, Kerala) said, “We do get patients with severe food poisoning, showing signs of serious illness. However, a watermelon naturally cannot cause a sudden event unless some external contamination or chemical manipulation was involved. We can assume the watermelon could be exposed to harmful germs, maybe was cut before use or the knife was contaminated. This exposure can cause illness."

"However, there is also a possibility of some dyes being used in excess to ripen the fruit faster. Though rare, in some places they illegally use calcium carbide, a hazardous chemical to artificially ripen fruits.”

When exposed to moisture, calcium carbide releases acetylene gas. The side effects of the chemical include headache, dizziness, cerebral swelling and seizures, explained Dr Narayana.

However, some experts suggest that watermelon provides a natural habitat for pathogens to thrive.

Speaking to DH, Dr Charu Dutt Arora, a consultant physician, palliative care and geriatrics at Asian hospital said, “Watermelon, due to its high water content (over 90 per cent) and neutral pH, provides an ideal environment for bacterial proliferation if contaminated. Pathogens such as Salmonella infection, Escherichia coli infection, or Listeriosis can cause acute gastroenteritis, sepsis, or multi-organ dysfunction, especially in vulnerable populations like the elderly, children, or immunocompromised individuals.”

However, she backed up the assumptions made by other experts in the matter, saying that fatal outcomes from fruit consumption are extremely rare and usually indicate significant contamination, either by pathogens or chemicals.

Ingestion of chemical contaminants or toxins can lead to systemic toxicity affecting the liver, kidneys, and central nervous system, she added.

Sometimes, exposure to heat can also increase the bacterial load in an already contaminated fruit, said Dr Arora. 

According to 2012 report by BBC, a salmonella outbreak was reported in the UK which was linked to watermelon consumption.

Some studies have alleged that high levels of potassium in the watermelon can cause a slow heart rate, low blood pressure and other symptoms, if the fruit is consumed in large quantities.