AN investigation has been launched after a dead rodent was allegedly found inside a soft drink can.
A video which surfaced online yesterday showed a paramedic at a private hospital displaying the can with what appeared to be a dead new-born rat clearly visible near the opening.
An expatriate man had reportedly turned up at the hospital on Tuesday night claiming he had found the rat in the can.
“The food inspectors have been notified and they have launched an investigation,” a Health Ministry spokeswoman confirmed to the GDN yesterday.
Apparently, the Indian worker rushed to the private hospital in Muharraq after the grisly find.
However, he was referred to a government hospital.
“The man came to the Muharraq hospital on Tuesday at around 10pm with the can of Mirinda citrus in which he said he had found the dead rat,” sources told the GDN.
“He had drunk from the can and was worried about poisoning.
“But he was not given any medicine and the hospital did not register any case.
“Instead, he was referred to the nearby government hospital.”
No further details were available on the man.
Sources at the hospital told the GDN that the staff member who recorded the video could face action as he had breached the hospital’s policy of protecting a patient’s identity.
Meanwhile, a senior management representative of the company that bottles the soft drink told the GDN it was “too early to comment”.
“We have been notified of the incident but it is too early to comment,” he said.
“The (Health) Ministry is investigating the claim and the probe is still in the initial stages.
“We will wait for the results of the investigation.
“However, we assure everyone that our product is safe; hygiene is top priority for us and we will not compromise on it.
“Even the authorities in Bahrain are particular about this which is why there are random checks and inspections.”
raji@gdn.com.bh
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