Beware! Roadside juices could land you in hospital

Hyderabad: Hundreds of roadside juice bandis have sprung up across the city that provide a glass of juice for just Rs 10 to Rs 25 but doctors warn about the possibility of contaminated water and artificial colours being used to prepare the juices, which could be harmful.

Cases of diarrhea, gastroenteritis rise during summer months. Ram Mohan Naik, a private medical practitioner, says, "We get patients suffering from severe stomach ache and on asking they say that they consumed juice from a street corner. If the place is not hygienic and water is contaminated, it could lead to problems. However, not all roadside juice bandis are harmful.

"Vendors also use rotten fruits, insect bitten fruits and carbide mixed fruits to make the juices. They do not wash their hands before preparing the juice. This can lead to complications," says DR Navodaya, Consultant physician, Care Banjara.

According to rough estimates, every year close to 500 cases are registered in Gandhi Hospital alone. A senior doctor at Gandhi Hospital said, "A number of attenders who accompany patients consume juices from outside and fall ill."