Baqubah: Health inspection teams from Diyala Health Directorate closed a popular food restaurant in Baqubah, the provincial capital, on Monday after several citizens suffered food poisoning from meals served there.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Faris Al-Azzawi, Media Director of Diyala Health, stated that Ibrahim Al-Khilani restaurant was shut down following reports of food poisoning caused by consuming falafel served at the restaurant. He added that samples of all food items used in the restaurant were collected for laboratory testing. Health teams are continuing their work to verify that the restaurant holds the required health permits and to investigate additional details related to the incident.

Earlier today, Baqubah Hospital received 40 patients suffering from food poisoning, all of whom had consumed falafel at the restaurant.