Chicken Meat, Butter: What Was Discovered in Food Sent to 146 Kindergartens

The Yerevan Municipality has significantly increased its oversight on food supplied to kindergartens in Yerevan. This was stated by Mayor Tigran Avinyan during the city council's operational meeting.

Noting that they are upgrading and renovating the kindergarten infrastructure, Avinyan emphasized the importance of the quality of food provided to kindergartens, saying, "It is also very important for us what food is supplied to kindergartens. In this regard, I want to inform all suppliers who have operated in some logical framework for years that those frameworks are no longer valid, and the previously tolerated approaches regarding food quality can no longer be accepted by us."

The head of the Municipality's Inspection Department, Anna Gevorgyan, reported that, based on conclusions from the State Service for Food Safety, a violation was identified indicating the presence of Listeria monocytogenes bacteria, and an immediate decision was made to halt the use of the entire batch of meat and transfer it to an appropriate location.

According to her, around 3,000 kg of chicken breast and 850 kg of chicken thigh were found in 146 kindergartens in Yerevan. Gevorgyan announced that four samples of cream butter supplied to all kindergartens were also submitted for microbiological and sensory testing at the same laboratory. The tests revealed the presence of mesophilic aerobic and facultative anaerobic microorganisms, while sensory indicators such as smell, taste, and color did not meet established criteria.

As reported, a total of 2,200 kg of this butter was present in all kindergartens in the capital, and it was decided to recall the entire batch, the fate of which will be determined by the working group, which will also seek alternative suppliers. It is noted that the working group is likely to decide on the disposal of this food.

“I want to warn from this point on that all legal entities who decide to participate in the food supply competitions announced by the city of Yerevan should know that our requirements are significantly stricter and we will not tolerate the supply of low-quality food to our kindergartens because it is simply unacceptable for our children to receive food of such quality,” Avinyan stated. According to him, this may have not only financial implications for suppliers but other consequences as well.

The Yerevan Municipality also announced: “On October 30, the Inspection Department of the Yerevan Municipality submitted chicken breast meat, supplied by 'Sisian Bread' LLC, for laboratory testing. The examination revealed non-compliance due to the presence of Listeria monocytogenes. Immediate measures were taken to stop the use of the entire batch and recall it. By November 6, about 3,850 kg of chicken was present in 146 kindergartens in Yerevan. Simultaneously, on November 5, four samples of cream butter supplied by 'Deaga' LLC were also submitted for microbiological testing. The examination revealed non-compliance regarding mesophilic aerobic and facultative anaerobic microorganisms. Measures are being taken to also recall the entire batch of 2,270 kg of cream butter.”