Poisoning Incident at Surkhandarya Boarding School Prompts Criminal Investigation
Food Poisoning at Boarding School: Criminal Case Opened
A shocking incident of food poisoning has occurred at a specialized boarding school in Sariosiyo district, Surkhandarya region, leading to a criminal case being opened. According to Children’s Ombudsman Surayyo Rakhmonova, 33 students experienced symptoms of acute gastritis after consuming food prepared by a private enterprise that provided outsourcing services to the school.
The incident, which took place on January 18, was a result of the private enterprise preparing low-quality food from products that were unfit for consumption. An investigation conducted by a rapid investigation team revealed that some products taken from the school kitchen did not meet sanitary and hygiene standards, and the rules for the use of kitchen equipment were not followed. This led to the outbreak of “infectious gastrointestinal diseases” among the children.
In response to the situation, the Sariosiyo district prosecutor’s office has initiated a criminal case under Paragraph “b”, Article 186-4 of the Criminal Code, which deals with the production, storage, transportation, or transfer of goods that do not meet security requirements. The preliminary investigation is currently underway, and if convicted, the perpetrators could face imprisonment for 7 to 12 years.
This disturbing incident serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding proper food safety and hygiene standards, especially in institutions catering to the welfare of children. Authorities are now working diligently to ensure that those responsible for the unsafe food preparation face the appropriate consequences for their actions. Overall, this case highlights the critical need for vigilance and accountability in the provision of food services, particularly in educational institutions.
