Thai restaurant Ruen Busaba apologises after food poisoning allegation, suspends two staff

Thai restaurant Ruen Busaba has apologised to a customer who alleged she suffered food poisoning after dining at its Banani outlet, saying it has suspended two employees pending review and offered service recovery measures while the incident is being addressed.

The customer, Fariha Nowroz Promi, said in an updated social media post that the restaurant's management contacted her to express regret over the incident, apologised, and assured her that steps would be taken to prevent a recurrence. 

She added that the restaurant had proposed several compensation and service recovery options and that she would disclose the final outcome later.

Promi had earlier alleged that she fell seriously ill after drinking a watermelon mocktail named "Red Ocean" during a family dinner celebrating her mother's birthday at the restaurant on June 25.

According to her, she was the only member of the family who consumed the mocktail. Shortly afterwards, she began vomiting and her condition worsened, prompting family members to rush her to Square Hospital, where she received emergency treatment from about 10:30 pm until 4 am.

She said doctors told her that timely treatment had prevented more serious complications.

In a subsequent update, Promi said her final medical report confirmed food poisoning. She said doctors believed the watermelon mocktail was the most likely source because everyone else at the table ate the same food but remained healthy, while she alone consumed the drink and became ill.

She also alleged that restaurant staff did not provide the assistance she had expected at the time of the incident and said she had requested an internal investigation before leaving the premises.

Responding to the allegations, restaurant manager Azad Hossain said the matter was being handled directly by the owners, who had already spoken with the customer.

"The owners have expressed their regret over the incident. Two employees have been temporarily suspended from duty, and the restaurant is addressing the matter in line with the customer's wishes," he said.

Promi said she has not yet fully recovered and continues to experience pain, with doctors advising that her recovery will take more time.

She also urged people to exercise caution when consuming watermelon or watermelon-based drinks during this time of year, claiming that fruits are sometimes treated with chemicals or preservatives that may pose health risks.

Public health experts, however, caution that the precise cause of food poisoning can only be established through laboratory testing, and that no specific fruit or beverage should be blamed without scientific confirmation.

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