Pune: Families Allege Food Poisoning After Birthday Party at Hinjawadi’s Goosebumps Arena
Hinjewadi, 4th April 2026: A serious public health concern has emerged in Pune’s Hinjawadi area after several families alleged incidents of food poisoning linked to a popular entertainment venue, Goosebumps Arena.
According to affected individuals, the incident dates back to March 21, when around 20–25 people from more than 10 families attended a birthday celebration at the venue. Shortly after consuming food served there, several attendees, including children, reportedly fell ill.
Victims reported symptoms such as diarrhoea, vomiting, fever and stomach infections, with some cases serious enough to require medical consultation. Medical prescriptions and reports shared by the affected families indicate diagnoses consistent with food poisoning and gastrointestinal infections.
Highlighting the seriousness of the situation, one of the affected individuals, Samridhi, said: “After the birthday party, almost all of us fell sick. The condition of small children was especially worrying. This is not just one incident — we found several similar cases online. It is alarming that even after a week, there has been no accountability from the management.”
Concerns have intensified after multiple similar complaints surfaced online, particularly through recent Google reviews. Several visitors from different dates have claimed they experienced comparable symptoms after visiting the venue.
One reviewer wrote:
“Almost all the kids and even adults fell seriously ill. It seemed like the food or water served there was contaminated.”
Another review stated:
“Within a day, everyone started suffering from severe diarrhoea. It is shocking that such food is being served.”
Despite the growing number of complaints, affected families allege a lack of response and accountability from the management. Many claim that no formal apology or clarification has been issued by the establishment even a week after the incident.
Responding to the allegations, a representative from Goosebumps Arena said, “Our legal team is currently handling the matter. We will verify all aspects of the situation before taking further action.”
“On the day of the incident, we hosted three parties simultaneously, and all guests were served the same food. We have not received any complaints from the other groups. In fact, positive feedback was shared about the food on the same day. The concerned party had brought an outside cake, and even the water provided was standard and safe. Our menu is carefully curated by our head chef, and we maintain strict quality checks on ingredients. Additionally, considering the age of the children—around 2 to 3 years—items like pizza and burgers can sometimes be heavy for them,” said the General Manager of Goosebumps Arena.
Meanwhile, several affected families have started escalating the issue to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), seeking an official investigation into food safety and hygiene practices at the venue.
Emphasizing the need for prompt action, Samridhi added, “If this is not addressed immediately, more families could unknowingly be at risk. We have medical reports and evidence, and we are determined to pursue this matter.”
Public health experts say such incidents, especially those involving children, highlight the urgent need for strict enforcement of food safety norms, regular inspections and stronger accountability mechanisms.
Residents have urged authorities to take swift action to ensure public safety and prevent similar incidents in the future.
