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The case that has left Pakistani foodies in tethers, has taken a new turn. A few days back, two infant children had eaten at a local posh eatery in Defence, Karachi, after which they started vomiting, leading them to their death the next day.
2-year-old Ahmed and 5-year-old Muhammad, children of Ahsaan Dangra, had gone out to eat with their mother on a Saturday night, while their father was away for work in Lahore. The family first ate their dinner at Arizona Grill, followed by eating candy at a local amusement park on Sea View named Chunky Monkey.
After early investigations, restaurant Arizona Grill was seized on the spot. The restaurant even took to their social media page giving an explanation, stating: “Healthy and nutritious food are the fundamental pillars of any restaurant. Arizona Grill proudly upholds these values and provides every customer with safe and healthy food. Last night, the esteemed police officers of Karachi conducted their investigation and moved on after clearing the restaurant. We wish them well on the finding the root cause and upon hearing the dreadful news, Arizona Grill would like to offer their heartfelt condolences.”
However, it now seems like everything Arizona had written on their Facebook page, was a deplorable lie. As per latest news, confirmed by authorities; they have discovered old meat chunks from 2014 and 2015, which were still being sold in the restaurant. The food authority raided the restaurant’s godown as well where it found long-expired food products.
“Hundreds of sherbet (squash) bottles that were a year past their expiry dates and around 80kg of rotten meat were found,” said Abrar Sheikh, Director Food Authority. “Three-year-old meat was being served to the customers,” he added.
The meat, which was old and found in the godown, was previously imported from UAE. However, no reason could be presented for which meat as old as 4 years was sitting inside the godown, but to be consumed by clueless customers who pay more than ordinary for a fine-dining experience.
Abrar Sheikh also informed other authorities and the public that Arizona Grill had been warned by the Food Authority previously for improving their hygiene conditions. It is now firmly being believed that the cause of death of the infants and their mother being critically sick is actually the food that was consumed inside Arizona Grill and had nothing to do with the candies from Chunky Monkey.
This case is a huge shocker for avid Arizona Grill diners and other foodies, who pay decent sums of money all over Karachi. It is being believed that this particular case will hurt Karachi’s food market more than anticipated.
