Doctors have called the juice, lemonade and other cold drinks sold on the road unhealthy. While these may quench thirst, the risks posed are high.
They say that the water used often contains germs of Typhoid, Cholera and Diarrhea.
Many of the drinks are made from powder which uses water from WASA line and large chunks of ice from the fish market.
Around 600 persons drink from street side stalls which have 3-4 glasses. These are washed with plain water and then re-used.
One person, who regularly drinks from such stalls, says: “I have been drinking for a long time and haven’t faced any health issues as yet.”
In addition to juice, cut pieces of fruits like watermelon, melon and pineapple are sold on open carts.
Meanwhile, ICDD’R’B has informed that city residents are suffering from diarrhea after eating unhygienic food.
In the last days of April the institution always had around 1000 patients.
Chief consultant dietician of Dr. Sirajul Islam Medical College, Sukriti Samira, said: “The water used at these stalls is unhealthy; many containers which carry water are dirty and the glasses used are not properly washed.”
As a result, anyone drinking from the glasses becomes vulnerable to a variety to germs, she added.
Any person drinking from these glasses may discover that his/her urine or eyes have suddenly become yellow. This may be accompanied by vomiting and acute stomach pain – signs of Hepatitis, commonly known as Jaundice.
Other ailments can also develop and therefore, people should stay away from such drinks.