A chilling incident of suspected food poisoning has claimed the lives of a food vendor and her two-year-old son, leaving two other family members in critical condition in Kwahu Atibie, Eastern Region.

The victims, identified as Taanii, who sold fufu in Mpraeso, and her family, were discovered unresponsive in their home, prompting a police investigation.

The tragic event was reported by the family’s landlord, Osarfo Wiafe Emmanuel, who described the family’s last known activities as routine.

"A day before the incident, the family went to sell the food and came back peacefully and [we] do not know what happened in the night. In the morning, they couldn't wake up," he told Adom News correspondent Akwasi Dwamena.

The bodies of the deceased—the mother and her young son—have been sent to the mortuary at the Kwahu Government Hospital, Atibie, where they await a post-mortem examination to determine the cause of death.

Simultaneously, the two other family members, who were found in critical condition, are receiving intensive medical care at the same hospital.

This incident has raised significant concerns about food safety and public health, especially given that one of the victims was a food vendor.

While investigations are underway, the tragedy serves as a grim reminder of the dangers of foodborne illnesses.

Authorities have cautioned the public to be vigilant about food hygiene and to seek immediate medical attention if they experience any symptoms of food poisoning, which can range from nausea and vomiting to severe, life-threatening conditions.