A suspected case of food poisoning has plunged a family in Kwahu Atibie, Eastern Region, into mourning, claiming the lives of a fufu vendor and her two-year-old son, while leaving two relatives in critical condition.
The deceased have been identified as Taanii, a well-known food vendor in Mpraeso, and her young child. Their bodies have been deposited at the Kwahu Government Hospital morgue in Atibie for autopsy to establish the exact cause of death.
According to the family’s landlord, Osarfo Wiafe Emmanuel, the tragedy unfolded without warning. He recounted that the family had returned home from their usual day of selling food and appeared fine until they were found unresponsive the following morning.
“A day before the incident, the family went to sell the food and came back peacefully. We don’t know what happened in the night. In the morning, they couldn’t wake up,” he narrated to Adom News correspondent Akwasi Dwamena.
Health authorities confirmed that the surviving family members, who were discovered in critical condition, are currently receiving intensive care at the Kwahu Government Hospital.
The incident has sparked concern among residents, especially since the late Taanii’s work as a food vendor meant she served many in the community. Public health experts caution that foodborne illnesses can be deadly and urge the public to be vigilant about food safety.
Police have launched investigations to establish the source of the suspected poisoning, while health officials have called for calm and emphasized the need for immediate medical attention when symptoms of food poisoning—such as nausea, abdominal pain, and vomiting—occur.
As Kwahu Atibie grapples with this tragedy, questions linger about food safety and preventive measures to avoid similar incidents in the future.
