Pune: Human Thumb Found in Laddu, FDA Launches Probe

Pune, 22nd June 2025: In a disturbing incident that has sparked serious public health concerns, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has launched an inquiry after a human thumb was allegedly discovered inside a laddu purchased from a sweet shop in Ambegaon tehsil of Pune district.

The incident took place on June 1 in Gohe Budruk village, when Ramchandra Potkule, a local resident, bought 250 grams of laddu and some bhel from Hotel Nityanand located in Dimbhegaon. The sweets were consumed by Potkule’s family, who were horrified to find what appeared to be a severed human thumb inside one of the laddus. Some family members later reported symptoms of nausea and dysentery, prompting them to alert authorities.

Following the complaint, an FDA team visited the premises on Saturday, collected food samples, and issued a notice to the establishment, citing a gross violation of food safety norms.

Investigation Points to Owner’s Son

According to preliminary findings, the severed thumb is suspected to belong to the hotel owner’s son, who was reportedly injured during sweet preparation. An FDA official familiar with the case said the young man’s hand was caught in the laddu-making machine during an electrical power surge.

“Initial investigation suggests the incident occurred when the power was suddenly restored while the machine was running, leading to the boy’s hand getting trapped. The machine had to be dismantled to retrieve his hand,” said the official. Despite the severity of the accident, the batch of laddus made during that time was not discarded and allegedly reached the market.

Locals Outraged, Authorities Promise Action

Kailash Gengje, sarpanch of Gohe Budruk, expressed concern over the lack of immediate response. “It’s shocking that the shop didn’t recall or destroy the contaminated batch. Public health has been completely disregarded,” he said.

Confirming the investigation, Suresh Annapure, Joint Commissioner, FDA Pune Region, stated, “Our team visited the establishment, spoke with the owner and staff, and is collecting all necessary details. This is a grave matter. Appropriate legal and regulatory action will follow once the inquiry is complete.”

Legal Ramifications Possible

Officials noted that if confirmed, the incident could lead to serious penalties under the Food Safety and Standards Act, including cancellation of the shop’s license, criminal charges, and fines. The FDA has taken food samples for laboratory testing, and results are expected soon.