Even as watermelons disappeared in parts of Bhendi Bazaar on Monday afternoon as the news of the family deaths spread widely, doctors called it a safe fruit: It is a summer favourite as it considered to be a hydrating fruit, consisting of over 90% water. Dr Akash Shukla, head of the gastroenterology department at KEM Hospital, Parel, was categorical that a watermelon, even if stale, is unlikely to cause deaths. While there have been rare instances in the medical history of “bitter-tasting cucumbers” causing fatalities, he said there is no cause for panic over watermelons. tnn
