Shillong: Meghalaya officials cleared Sting energy drink of any role in a 12-year-old student's death in West Garo Hills. Health Minister Wailadmiki Shylla told the Assembly the boy died from acute gastroenteritis leading to irreversible shock and kidney injury. The child's mother confirmed her son did not like the drink. Doctors stated he consumed no packaged food or beverages before falling ill.
Reports in a local newspaper on August 12 linked the death to the beverage. The state froze all sales and distribution on August 14. An investigation by the Food Safety Officer found no link between the product and the tragedy. Officials lifted the ban on August 15. The minister noted that the decision was based on facts rather than a product endorsement.
TMC MLA Rupa Marak noted the drink carries a label warning it is not for children. He demanded a ban on sales to minors. Shylla replied that violating warning labels triggers prosecution under the Food Safety Act. He said, "The presence of such a warning constitutes a legal restriction and that any violations would be prosecuted under the Food Safety Act."
The state continues monitoring. Health workers collected 14 samples from districts like Ri-Bhoi and the Jaintia Hills for lab analysis. Results are pending. Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Mukul Sangma called for an overhaul of food safety enforcement. He pushed for better control over expired goods. Shylla defended his department's record of 3,726 inspections and 8,500 sample tests over the last three years.
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