Health dept seizes 352 boxes of refined oil after 6 hospitalised
Six people from two villages near Rajpura town were rushed to the PGIMER, Chandigarh, in critical condition last week after they consumed refined soyabean oil with high levels of Vitamin D, supporting the hypothesis of a shared source of Vitamin D toxicity.
The six patients, including two children, were admitted to the PGIMER, Chandigarh, after experiencing acute symptoms of vomiting and weakness. During their treatment, the PGIMER alerted the Patiala health department that all the six patients fell ill due to hypervitaminosis D, known as vitamin D toxicity.
According to the communication of the PGIMER, Chandigarh, with the Patiala health department, preliminary analysis of an oil sample linked to the cases has revealed abnormally high levels of Vitamin D.
Hypervitaminosis D is an acute medical condition that is caused by consuming excessive amounts of vitamin D, leading to dangerously high blood calcium levels (hypercalcemia). This can damage kidneys, bones, and soft tissues over time.
Patiala health department officials said on Monday that the affected patients, two children from Alluna and four adults from Bhedwal village near Rajpura town in Patiala district, were admitted to the PGIMER last week.
They had consumed 'Binni' refined oil purchased from a karyana store in Bhedwal village, they said.
Dr Divjot Singh, district epidemiologist, said, 'Public announcements have been made in villages to stop using the refined oil of Binni brand. Our health workers in the area are on alert. We have not detected any other cases so far.'
Health officials said that the refined oil reportedly had a high level of vitamin D, adding that the karyana store owner claimed that he had received packaged oil from Rajpura town.
Officials said that a survey had already been conducted in both the villages, but no other case had been detected there.
Meanwhile, the food wing of the Patiala health department also swung into action and collected samples of the 'Binni' refined oil.
Dr Gurpreet Kaur, district health officer, said, 'We have already confiscated 352 boxes and 13 bottles of the refined oil. We have removed the harmful product from circulation. Samples of the seized products have been collected and sent for laboratory analysis to the state food lab in Kharar. Legal steps will be taken in accordance with the food safety laws once the investigation concludes.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
15 hours ago
- Time of India
Is there a link between Vitamin D deficiency and heart attacks?
Recent studies explore the connection between vitamin D deficiency and heart attacks, revealing inconsistent findings. An Australian trial indicated that vitamin D supplementation might lower the risk of major cardiovascular events, particularly heart attacks and coronary revascularization. However, other research, including a Michigan State University study, found no significant reduction in cardiovascular disease risk with vitamin D supplements. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are on the rise across the globe. According to the World Health Organization, CVDs are the leading cause of death globally, taking an estimated 17.9 million lives each year. Researchers are looking at the factors that contribute to CVDs, especially heart attacks, and its link with Vitamin D deficiency has been gaining popularity of late. Is there a link between vitamin D deficiency and heart attacks? Let's take a look. What is vitamin D Vitamin D, also known as the 'sunshine vitamin', is a fat-soluble nutrient essential for maintaining healthy bones, supporting immune function, and promoting overall well-being. The body produces it when exposed to sunlight, and it's also found in certain foods and supplements. People in developed nations may have insufficient levels, particularly those with limited sun exposure or darker skin tones. Link between vitamin D deficiency and heart attacks Multiple studies have identified an association between low vitamin D levels and cardiovascular issues, including sudden heart attacks. Though observational studies have consistently shown a link between vitamin D levels and CVD risk, randomised controlled trials have found no evidence that vitamin D supplements prevent cardiovascular events. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting Luxeartisanship Buy Now Undo To see if there is a link, the Australian researchers conducted a Trial (2014–2020) in older adults. The 2023 study involved 21,315 participants aged 60–84, who were randomly assigned to receive either 60,000 IU of vitamin D or a placebo monthly for up to five years. The researchers also collected data on hospital admissions and deaths to identify major cardiovascular events, including heart attacks, strokes, and coronary revascularisation (treatment to restore normal blood flow to the heart). During the trial, most participants (80%) took their tablets regularly over five years. The researchers found that those who received vitamin D had a 9% lower rate of major heart-related events compared to the placebo group. The rate of heart attack was 19% lower and the rate of coronary revascularization was 11% lower in the vitamin D group, but there was no difference in the rate of stroke between the two groups. The findings suggested that vitamin D supplementation may reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events. 'This protective effect could be more marked in those taking statins or other cardiovascular drugs at baseline,' the researchers said. Representative image. Another 2021 study found that vitamin D supplementation lowered the risk of heart disease in people with dark skin. Though most of the darkly pigmented people are at greater risk of vitamin D deficiency, especially in areas with less sun exposure, supplementation drastically reduces the risk of blood vessel dysfunction, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases. "Vitamin D supplementation is a simple and safe strategy to ensure vitamin D sufficiency. Our findings suggest that promoting adequate vitamin D status in young, otherwise healthy adults may improve nitric oxide availability and blood vessel function, and thereby serve as a prophylactic to reduce the risk of future development of hypertension or cardiovascular disease," the researcher said. Easy ways to increase your Vitamin D intake A 2019 Michigan State University study found that taking vitamin D supplements did not really reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. The large-scale study noted that vitamin D supplements did not decrease the incidence of heart attacks, strokes, or other major adverse cardiovascular events. "We thought it would show some benefit. It didn't show even a small benefit. This was surprising," the researchers said. They also suggested thinking twice before taking vitamin D to reduce the risk of a heart attack or other cardiovascular issues. "We don't recommend taking vitamin D to reduce this risk," they said. What you should do The NIH recommends a daily intake of 600 IU of vitamin D (mostly from foods) for people ages 1-70 and 800 IU for adults ages 71 and older. While vitamin D deficiency is linked to cardiovascular diseases, going overboard with supplements is not recommended. Getting too much can lead to adverse effects, including high calcium levels in the blood or kidney stones. To get adequate vitamin D, get incidental sun exposure. Also, eat vitamin D-rich foods, including fatty fish, fortified dairy products and cereals, and certain mushrooms. Also, consult a doctor before taking any supplements. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
Indian Express
19 hours ago
- Indian Express
PGI's multi-level parking in Chandigarh 80% ready, to start operation in July
PGIMER, Chandigarh, is all set to get a new multi-level parking facility next month, built at a cost of about Rs 50 crore. This much-awaited parking, located near the New OPD, aims to ease the growing traffic and parking problems on the campus. The PGI Standing Finance Committee had approved the project in 2015 for a second multi-level parking facility near the New OPD. However, due to multiple delays over the past 10 years, the project couldn't move forward. According to Pankaj Rai, Deputy Director, Administration, PGI, around 80% of the construction work on the multi-level parking will be completed by July, and the facility will become operational, and the remaining work is expected to be completed by November. Considering the increase in patient load and the number of vehicles, the project will provide significant relief to patients and visitors visiting PGI, saving them time. The multi-level parking will eventually have space for over 900 cars, but initially, about 550 cars can be parked by July. The new parking structure is being built over approximately 26,000 square metres of land and will have six floors and one basement. Due to delays over the years, the demand for parking has continued to increase. PGI's New OPD registers more than 10,000 patients daily, many of whom are accompanied by one or two attendants. As a result, around 20,000 vehicles now enter the PGI campus each day. Due to the shortage of parking space, people often park at the Sector 11 market, outside PGI gates, open grounds near the Advanced Cardiac Centre etc. Earlier, PGI was planning on increasing the frequency of its free shuttle service and e-rickshaws to reduce congestion in the institute's parking lots, but as per a security guard, people don't use these services. The existing and designated parking facilities and spaces at PGI are not enough, as the institute struggles with a massive crowd and traffic. PGI currently has a total of 5,505 car parking spaces, including both permanent and temporary. There are 3,753 permanent parking slots, 72 temporary slots in front of the NINE (Nursing College), 180 temporary slots behind the dental block, and 1,500 temporary slots near the swimming pool, with 3,446 parking slots for scooters and bikes. On paper, parking appears to be enough — but the ground reality is different. Every day, heavy traffic, patient vehicles, and staff cars overwhelm the system. It's common to see attendants and visitors driving around in circles looking for a free spot. The new multi-level parking is expected to ease this pressure. Since PGI cannot stop vehicles from entering, many patients are too ill to walk, the only solution lies in expanding and managing parking facilities efficiently. PGI officials say they are working on traffic control and smart parking strategies, with a one-way system for traffic introduced during peak hours.
News18
19 hours ago
- News18
Hair Fall And Dry Skin? These Could Be Hidden Signs You Need More Vitamin D
Last Updated: Vitamin D stimulates and maintains healthy hair growth by nourishing hair follicles and promoting scalp health. Vitamin D is a crucial nutrient that supports a wide range of bodily functions, from strengthening bones to enhancing immune health. It also plays an important role in maintaining healthy skin and promoting hair growth. When your body doesn't get enough of it, whether due to limited sun exposure, poor diet, or other factors, the deficiency can reveal itself through a variety of physical symptoms. In many cases, early warning signs appear subtly in your skin and hair. Here are some common indicators that your body may be lacking Vitamin D. Skin Vitamin D is essential for keeping your skin healthy and resilient. It aids in skin cell repair, supports your body's immune response to inflammation or damage, and helps regulate how skin cells grow and function – all of which contribute to smoother, clearer, and stronger skin. Dry and flaky skin: Without enough vitamin D, your skin may feel rough, itchy, or dehydrated. Dull or uneven tone: Skin may appear lifeless, patchy, or tired due to impaired cell turnover. Wounds heal slowly: Cuts, scrapes, or blemishes may take longer to heal due to slower skin cell repair. Sensitive or irritated skin: You might notice increased redness, breakouts, or a tendency to develop rashes. Vitamin D also plays a vital role in maintaining thick, healthy hair. It helps stimulate hair follicles – the small structures in the scalp responsible for hair growth. When your body is deficient in vitamin D, these follicles can become inactive or underperform, which may result in thinning hair or noticeable hair loss over time. Common Hair Problems Linked to Vitamin D Deficiency: Hair Loss: A lack of vitamin D may contribute to hair loss conditions such as alopecia areata, an autoimmune disorder that causes patchy bald spots on the scalp or other areas of the body. Hair Thinning: Low vitamin D levels can disrupt the hair growth cycle by shortening the anagen (growth) phase. This leads to gradual thinning, often noticeable as a widening hair part or a receding hairline. Slower Hair Growth: Vitamin D deficiency can slow down the overall growth rate of hair. Strands may appear dull, flat, or lacking volume due to inactive or underperforming follicles. Studies have found that people with lower vitamin D levels often report increased hair fall and find it harder to maintain thick, healthy hair. Although factors like genetics and diet also influence hair health, vitamin D is crucial for keeping follicles functioning properly. How to Boost Vitamin D Levels for Healthier Hair and Skin Get safe sunlight: Aim for 10–30 minutes of early morning sun (around 7–8 AM) on bare hands and feet. Keep your face protected to avoid UV damage. Eat vitamin D-rich foods: Add salmon, mackerel, egg yolks, fortified dairy, and mushrooms to your meals to naturally raise vitamin D. Consider supplements: If you're deficient or at risk, talk to a doctor about taking vitamin D supplements to correct low levels safely. Focus on overall diet: A balanced, nutrient-rich diet not only improves vitamin D absorption but also promotes stronger hair and healthier skin overall. First Published: June 08, 2025, 09:55 IST
