According to the Ministry of Preschool and School Education of the Republic of Uzbekistan, on September 24, cases of food poisoning were reported among children in preschool in the Piskent and Buka districts.

Preliminary medical examinations diagnosed the children with “acute functional gastrointestinal disorder, foodborne toxic infection”. Immediate medical assistance was provided. Most children felt better after receiving the necessary treatment and were discharged home the same day. No severe cases were reported.

 In connection with the incident, the Investigation Department under the Main Department of Internal Affairs of Tashkent Region has opened a criminal case under Article 257-1, Part 1 of the Criminal Code of Uzbekistan. Initial investigative procedures are underway.

 Additionally, the Children’s Ombudsman has taken the situation under special supervision.

On September 25, a preventive seminar was held at the “Metallurg” Palace of Culture. The event was attended by Almalyk Specialized Prosecutor Rasul Matkhalikov, Chairman of the AMMC Trade Union Council Abdurashid Khaydarov, Chief Physician of the Medical and Sanitary Unit Abdujabbor Tukhtaboyev, heads of trade unions of enterprises, responsible staff of the Social Facilities Department, preschool directors of the complex, medical workers, and cooks.

In his speech, Prosecutor Rasul Matkhalikov emphasized the importance of strict compliance with sanitary standards, food storage rules, and cooking technologies in preschools and enterprise canteens. Even minor negligence, he warned, can lead to serious consequences. Special attention, he noted, must be given to the safety and healthiness of children’s meals. He stressed that the incident in Piskent and Buka should serve as a lesson for all: irresponsibility and negligence inevitably result in legal consequences.

Abdurashid Khaydarov highlighted the importance of strict quality control of food supplies received from vendors.

Chief physician Abdujabbor Tukhtaboyev reminded attendees that medical staff must constantly monitor hygiene, sanitation in canteens, and food quality.

Feruza Eshonova, therapist from the Social Facilities Department, provided a detailed explanation of basic sanitary rules for food preparation, dishware and equipment cleaning, and gave practical advice on providing first aid in cases of food poisoning.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 600 million people worldwide suffer from consuming unsafe food every year.

As a result of eating food contaminated with microorganisms or chemical substances, 420,000 people die annually. Sadly, 125,000 of them children under the age of five.

Analysis of food poisoning cases shows that majority are linked to the consumption of home-made canned products. This is followed by poisoning caused by chemical substances, wild mushrooms, and cases of foodborne toxic infections.

Information service