Causes of Poisoning at 'Tashir Pizza' Revealed

The State Service for Food Safety informs that the results of laboratory tests on food served at the 'Tashir Pizza' chain establishments are ready. Between November 4-9, 2021, an outbreak of intestinal infectious diseases was recorded, with a total of 179 infected individuals, 35 of whom were aged 0-18 years. Among the infected, 82 were hospitalized at the National Center for Infectious Diseases, 76 at Armenia Medical Center, 12 at the Mkhitar Heratsi Institute of Surgery, 1 at Ararat Medical Center, 2 at Martuni Medical Center, 4 at Abovyan Medical Center, and 2 at Ijevan Medical Center. As of November 9, 2021, 111 patients have been discharged from hospitals, while 64 are receiving treatment, 26 of whom are under 18 years old.

Both the Ministry of Health and the State Service for Food Safety quickly responded to the incident. Epidemiological investigations conducted by the National Center for Disease Control and Prevention revealed that all infected individuals had consumed food from the 'Tashir Pizza' chain establishments. Environmental and food samples were taken for laboratory testing at the public catering organizations belonging to 'Tashir Pizza' LLC.

Laboratory tests showed no deviations in 4 samples of drinking water, while intestinal bacilli were found in 14 out of 40 surfaces sampled from the establishments. Additionally, salmonella enteritidis was identified in 2 out of 24 samples taken from employees, and staphylococcus was isolated from 9 employees out of 26 nasal swabs. Among 16 food samples tested bacteriologically, staphylococcus and salmonella were found in 3, including from chicken meat, Caesar salad, sauce, marinated mushrooms, sausage, sliced sausage, cooked mushrooms, grated cheese, and chicken stuffing.

Of the fecal samples taken from patients hospitalized at the National Center for Infectious Diseases, 7 out of 9 showed the presence of salmonella enteritidis, while 4 out of 5 samples from patients hospitalized at the Mkhitar Heratsi Institute of Surgery were also positive. Inspectors from the State Service for Food Safety collected samples from ready-to-eat products and raw materials in the public catering network and sent them for laboratory examinations. The sanitary and hygienic conditions of the public catering points were assessed, and information about the origin of the raw materials used was gathered. The operations of two branches, located on Northern Avenue and Khangjian Street, were immediately suspended.

On November 5, during inspections, 'Tashir Pizza' LLC ceased the operations of all its branches. According to the results of laboratory tests conducted by the Republican Veterinary and Sanitary Laboratory Services Center, certain food items did not meet established standards: 1. The Caesar salad made with chicken had golden staphylococcus samples; 2. The boiled chicken meat tested positive for intestinal bacilli, salmonella, and golden staphylococcus; 3. The moron (veal) had intestinal bacilli and salmonella; 4. The ground beef contained listeria monocytogenes.

Combining the information gathered from the inspections, professionals from the State Service for Food Safety have also begun investigations into the mayonnaise produced by 'Hayr and Son Avagyan' LLC, and the chicken supplier, Saratov Poultry Plant 'Kurnikov' LLC. Additional samples from the mayonnaise and poultry meat have been taken and sent for laboratory testing. Results will be published.