June 9, Pozirk. An individual has been arrested over last week’s food poisoning outbreak at child daycare centers in the Minsk region, the Investigative Committee reported on June 9.
The suspect may be charged under Part One of the Criminal Code’s Article 336 for allegedly violating food safety rules. The food product that is believed to have caused the incident has been withdrawn from sale.
Investigators are reportedly looking to identify other victims and inspecting dairy companies across the country for compliance with regulations. They have reportedly found “no other violations of such kind” and concluded that they are “not systemic or common.”
Authorities blamed the poisoning outbreak on a fermented milk product supplied by a private company in Bierazino.
According to Deputy Health Minister Sviatłana Niačaj, the outbreak is believed to have been caused by Bifidin, a probiotic-rich fermented dairy drink produced by Bijamałpram (Biomolprom) and intended for infant and child nutrition.
Laboratory tests found that Bifidin failed to meet microbiological safety standards, the health ministry said.
Bijamałpram’s operations have been suspended, and Bifidin has been recalled from sale.
The health ministry reported on June 4 that children at 11 daycare centers in Barysaŭ, a city of about 135,000 residents in the Minsk region, became ill with food poisoning on June 2 and 3.
A total of 30 children between the ages of two and eight were admitted to an infectious diseases hospital with vomiting, abdominal pain, and weakness, the ministry said. Twenty-seven were hospitalized, with doctors suspecting acute gastroenteritis and describing their condition as moderately severe.
State media reported that all of the children had been discharged by June 6.
The Investigative Committee said on June 4 that, according to its ongoing investigation, 13 additional food poisoning victims had been identified in various localities across the Minsk region.
