State coroner records misadventure in rojak poisoning deaths
By Ng Lian Cheong / Teo Xuan Wei / Hetty Musfirah, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 10 February 2010 1549 hrs

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SINGAPORE: A coroner's court on Wednesday recorded a verdict of misadventure in the deaths of two women who died after eating at an Indian rojak stall at the Geylang Serai Temporary Market last April.

State Coroner Victor Yeo said it was not a deliberate act that led to the cross-contamination of the food.

He said that although the food poisoning outbreak originated from the stall operated by 70-year-old Sheik Alauddin Mohideen, it was an "unusual and unfortunate incident".

The State Coroner continued to say that there was no evidence to trace the source of the bacteria, which caused 57-year-old Madam Aminah Samijo and 59-year-old Madam Norani Kassim to die from blood poisoning and multi-organ failure.

Families of the two women are now considering proceedings for compensation.

"It is a very fair finding," said M. Nedumaran, the lawyer representing Madam Aminah's family. "The family members are right now seriously considering civil proceedings for compensation for the personal loss suffered by my clients, and also dependency claim for the loss of dependency."

Mr Sheik Allaudin's licence to operate a stall has been suspended since the incident.

The National Environment Agency (NEA) said the suspension will continue for now. It will review the findings of the State Coroner in deciding the appropriate action that may be taken against the parties involved.

NEA said this inquiry has highlighted the severity of the food poisoning outbreak and serves as a reminder to all food handlers to strictly observe good food-handling practices and personal hygiene practices at all times.

- CNA/yb