Over 500 People Used 'Art-Lunch' Restaurant in the Hospital, Only 33 Cases of Diarrhea Reported Next Day, Says Restaurant Director

Bakur Melkonyan, the director of the 'Art-Lunch' restaurant, addressed the reports of food poisoning incidents at the 'Saint Grigor Lusavorich' medical center on his Facebook page. He specifically wrote:

“I really didn’t want to comment on the rumors circulating in the media that 33 people were poisoned from Art-Lunch’s food in the Masis hospital. I didn't want to address it not because I wanted to conceal anything (all necessary authorities have been informed), but for the following reasons:

1. After discussions with several professional medical specialists, we understood that this is not poisoning, but rather a gastrointestinal disturbance.
2. More than 500 people consumed the same food, on the same day, in the same hospital, and only 33 individuals experienced diarrhea the next day.
3. I am in constant contact with the hospital staff, and at this moment, everything is normal for all 33 individuals and their symptoms have resolved.
4. In accordance with the law, we have all the samples of the meals and salads prepared on-site, which have been sent for testing by the relevant authorities.
5. We have all the documents for the food products we used, including all forms of local meat products and necessary certificates from slaughterhouses.

I want everyone in my country to take responsibility for their mistakes; I myself am ready to bear any responsibility if I have committed any violations or manipulations. However, I want to avoid a repeat of what happened years ago when it became clear days later that the culprit was not Art-Lunch but a supplying company, yet that didn’t interest anyone anymore. Let’s be professional and wait for the results.

I am very grateful to everyone who has been calling me every minute offering their support and help. I have always treated my business with great responsibility and will continue to do so with the same level of commitment.”