Increase in Food Poisoning Cases in Armenia

In 2023, the number of food poisoning incidents in Armenia has increased by 13 compared to the previous year. This was announced by the head of the Armenian Food Safety Inspection Body, Armen Hayrapetyan, during an off-site press conference held in Agveran.

Last year, 51 cases of poisoning were recorded, of which 8 occurred in public catering establishments, 4 in kindergartens, 1 in a school, 1 in a summer camp, and 1 in a sales outlet. In contrast, the number of poisoning cases in 2022 was 38.

According to the inspection body leader, the number of monitoring activities in 2023 has decreased compared to the previous year, while the number of recorded violations has increased. “In 2023, 2,500 monitoring activities were conducted, of which 1,374, or 55 percent, identified violations, whereas in 2022, 3,300 monitoring activities were carried out,” he noted.

Decisions to suspend production activities or specific functions were made in 87 cases, of which 65 have been reopened, while 22 have not even applied for reopening. As a result of inspections, 1,501 administrative accountability decisions were made, with fines exceeding 45 million drams imposed.

The implemented control measures and, therefore, the identified violations would have been more significant if the inspection body had more resources. Currently, the FSIB has 195 inspector positions, of which 38 are vacant.

In 2023, the FSIB also continued its monitoring and inspections concerning diseases prevalent among animals. Throughout 2023, the cases of brucellosis among both large and small cattle have decreased. However, while no cases of leishmaniasis were recorded in 2022, 71 cases have been registered in 2023. There has also been an increase in rabies cases, with 3 dogs found to have rabies in 2022, and 10 dogs and 1 badger recorded in 2023.

As a result of comprehensive measures, it was possible to prevent the spread of the new and dangerous SAT-2 strain of the disease in Armenia.