Watermelon panic?

Amid growing panic over reports linking a Mumbai family’s death to watermelon consumption, food safety experts are urging calm and clarity.

In the fallout, watermelon prices in Navi Mumbai have dropped sharply to `5–7 per kg as demand slumped following the deaths of four family members, who reportedly fell ill overnight after consuming a watermelon. Authorities have sent food samples for testing and are investigating the exact cause, while traders report heavy losses during what is typically peak summer demand.

Amid the uncertainty, experts are working to dispel myths and urge the public not to jump to conclusions.

According to Dr Aparna Kuna, principal scientist and head at Professor Jayashankar Telangana Agricultural University, the fear is being driven more by misinformation than by scientific evidence.

“The fruit is not the problem. It is the handling and storage after cutting that determines safety,” says Dr Kuna. Any fruit, she explains, is inherently safe when consumed as a whole. “The distinction is crucial. While whole fruits remain protected by their outer rind, the risk begins once they are cut. At this stage, improper handling —such as using unclean knives, contaminated water, or poor hand hygiene — can introduce harmful microorganisms,” she says.

Dr Patankar explains that a region of the brain called the hypothalamus, often referred to as the body’s internal thermostat, be-comes activated during heat exposure. Since this same area also plays a significant role in migraines, the overstimulation can trigger or worsen an attack. She quips, “When sunlight and glare trigger a mig-raine, it is called Photo-phobia or photosensitivity.”

Unbearable Brightness

The harsh summer sunlight does more than make people squint for a few seconds at a traffic signal. Prolonged exposure to glare forces the eye to constantly adjust and strain to focus comfortably. Dr Mickey Dhamejani, an Ophthalmologist & Eye Surgeon (Cataract & LASIK

specialist) from Mumbai explains, “When we spend time in hot, dry air — whether outdoors in peak afternoon sun or indoors under heavy air-conditioning, the tear film that normally lubricates and protects the eye surface begins to evaporate more rapidly.” He explains that this can lead to what is known as “tear film instability”, often the first step towards developing Dry Eye disease.

Headache Triggers

Shedding light on another often-overlooked trigger, Dr Mickey shares that prolonged exposure to air conditioners can also contribute to headaches during summer. Sitting directly under cold air vents for hours can dry out the surface of the eyes, much like spending time in hot, dry weather outdoors. As the eyes become dry and irritated, people tend to blink more, squint frequently, or strain their eyes to focus comfortably.

He adds, “This constant effort puts extra pressure on the small muscles around and inside the eyes, which can gradually lead to a dull, heavy headache around the forehead or eye region.”

Beat the Heat

Preventing summer migraines is easy. Dr Satyanarayana Kada, Senior Consultant Ophthal-mologist & Retina Specialist, Renova Century Hospitals, Hyderabad, says, “Harsh light and reflective

glare don’t just make you squint, they can overstimulate the eyes.” Prolonged exposure can trigger Photo-phobia (light sensitivity), leading to discomfort and headaches. Those with a history of mig-raine or pre-existing eye conditions are particularly vulnerable.

Dr. Kada says the summer season can be particularly unforgiving for people whose eyes are already under silent stress. Individuals with uncorrected vision issues such as myopia or astigmatism often strain harder to focus, and summer’s glare only magnifies that effort. Add long hours spent staring at laptops and mobile screens, where blinking quietly drops without people even noticing, and the eyes are left dry, fatigued, and overworked by the end of the day.

Summer migraines worsen if people don’t take precautions. People involved in outdoor or field-based work need to be especially mindful during peak summer heat. Individuals living with chronic migraines, as well as those who experience migraine auras, may also be more vulnerable to heat-triggered episodes during the summer months.

While many summer headaches may stem from heat, dehydration, glare, or eye strain, certain symptoms should never be ignored. Dr Dhamejani explains that sudden, severe headaches accompanied by eye pain, blurred vision, rainbow halos around lights, nausea, or vomiting may signal an eye emergency such as acute glaucoma and require immediate medical attention.

Solutions lie in simple but consistent habits, from wearing UV-protective sunglasses and staying hydrated to limiting prolonged screen exposure, taking regular visual breaks, and using lubricating eye drops for dry eyes when advised.

Too Hot to Handle

Summer has a way of turning up the brightness, and the body pays the price for it. What begins as a harmless squint under harsh sunlight or a skipped bottle of water can quietly spiral into throbbing headaches, burning eyes, migraines, and exhaustion.

The good news is that prevention often lies in simple habits: hydration, shade, sleep, sunglasses, screen breaks, and listening to the body before it begins to protest louder. Staying cool during summer is not just comfort, it is basic care and survival for the eyes and brain!

Food safety risk ranking (high to low)

1Cut fruits sold on streets — Very high risk

2 Street-vended ready-to-eat foods — Very high risk

3 Improperly stored cooked foods —High Risk

4 Hygienically cut & refrigerated fruits — Moderate to low risk

5 Whole fruits (uncut) — low risk

6 Freshly cooked hot foods — Very low risk

Safe handling tips for summer fruits

Before cutting

· Wash outer surface thoroughly under running water

· Avoid damaged or pre-cut fruits from unhygienic vendors

During preparation

· Use clean knives and cutting boards

· Wash hands properly

After cutting

· Refrigerate immediately (=5°C)

· Store in clean, covered containers

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Common bacteria linked to fruit contamination

· Salmonella — Often from contaminated water or poor hygiene

· Escherichia coli (E. coli) – Typically due to faecal contamination

· Staphylococcus aureus – Introduced through improper handling

· Listeria monocytogenes – More common in refrigerated/ready-to-eat foods

These microbes do not originate inside intact fruits but are introduced through external contamination.