Rat's Head Served in A Food Parcel from Hotel NIZAMIYA in Colombo? Find Out the Truth…

A short video clip shared was widely shared among social media users in Sri Lanka, claiming to be a food parcel containing a 'rat’s head'. However, our investigation found out the hotel had actually served rabbit meat during this incident.

Social Media Posts

Photos and videos circulated on social media stating that a food parcel obtained from the NIZAMIYA Hotel in Colombo contained a 'rat’s head'

A Facebook user added a post with a caption. “Hotel Nizamiya, Don't know where it is. Posted just to inform.”

The video, which had caused the viral posts can be seen below.

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Fact Check

We contacted all the key parties associated with this claim in order to clarify the facts related to this viral claim.

Nizamiya Hotel & Bake House Manager

First contacted the manager of Nizamiya Hotel & Bake House in Colombo over a telephone call.

He noted that the viral video did not show a rat's head, but a ‘rabbit’s head’ inside a hare curry. He explained that the incident was caused as the hotel had mistakenly given the 'rabbit meat' biryani to a person who had ordered a chicken biriyani.

“The person who asked for the chicken biriyani was also a known customer who used to come to our restaurant, and since he received a parcel of 'rabbit’s meat' biryani instead of chicken, he had released a video misleading the that there was a 'rat’s head' in his food parcel”, the hotel manager said.

However, he stats that the restaurant had been closed down for few days and the relevant authorities have sent that food piece for a laboratory test to find out whether it is a 'rat head'.

He further added that the 'rabbit meat' curry is prepared by the restaurant about three times a month and the approvals had been obtained from the relevant authorities.

Public Health Inspector (PHI) Pettah & Colombo Medical Officer of Health

The Pettah PHI and the Colombo Medical Officer of Health confirmed that samples of the curry had been sent to the laboratory at the Colombo Museum and that the report confirmed that it was a 'rabbit meat' curry.

Is it permissible to sell ‘rabbit’s meat'?

Dr. Ruwan Wijayamuni, Chief Medical Officer of Health, Colombo Municipal Council

Commenting on this, Chief Medical Officer of the Colombo Municipal Council Ruwan Wijayamuni said that after the samples of the above curry were sent to the Head of the Animal Section of the Museum by the Analyst of the Colombo Municipal Council, he confirmed that this was the head of a 'rabbit'. The Medical Officer further stated that there is no prohibition on the sale or preparation of 'rabbit meat'.

“However, under the Food Act , the restaurant was fined for preparing, displaying and serving food in an unpleasant manner”, said Dr. Ruwan Wijayamuni.

“However, although there is no prohibition on the sale or preparation of 'rabbit meat', the permission of the veterinary surgeon in the area where the farm is located should be obtained and if that permission is not obtained, it is also a fault, and the Colombo Municipal Council is still investigating the matter “, the Medical Officer further said.

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Conclusion:

According to our investigation, the video circulating on social media showing a food parcel prepared by the Nizamiya Hotel in Colombo with a 'rat’s head” is misleading. The hotel had served a ‘rabbit's head' in a hare curry instead. The hotel management says that the hotel has been preparing and serving the 'hare meat' curry for a long period and that the person who received the wrong food parcel had misinterpreted the situation in the viral video.

A laboratory test conducted under the purview of the Colombo Municipal Council had confirmed that the sample was actually of a rabbit’s head. The Chief Medical Officer of the Colombo Municipal Council Ruwan Wijayamuni stated that there is no prohibition on the sale or preparation of 'rabbit meat' if the relevant permits have been obtained and that a fine has been imposed on the Nizamiya Restaurant for preparing, displaying, and serving food in unpleasant manner.

However, permission should be obtained from the relevant veterinarian to sell or prepare meat and further inquiries are being made as to whether that permission was obtained, Wijayamuni added.

Title:Rat's Head Served in A Food Parcel from Hotel NIZAMIYA in Colombo? Find Out the Truth…

Fact Check By: Kalana Krishantha

Result: Misleading