Investigation Service launches criminal probe into mass food poisoning across Tbilisi kindergartens
The Investigation Service of the Ministry of Finance of Georgia immediately launched a criminal investigation after receiving reports of a food poisoning outbreak affecting toddlers and staff at several Tbilisi kindergartens.
According to the agency, it is conducting the investigation under Article 198, Part 2 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, concerning the production or sale of products hazardous to human life or health that threaten life or well-being.
“Based on currently available information, 55 children and one educator across 20 kindergartens in Tbilisi are exhibiting symptoms of food poisoning. They have sought emergency medical assistance across six medical facilities in Tbilisi.
As part of the ongoing investigation, law enforcement officers have already interviewed more than 50 legal guardians of the affected children, as well as medical staff at the relevant facilities.
To quickly establish exactly what happened, the agency carried out intensive investigations and searches overnight at four kindergartens and three catering companies that supply the pre-schools.
These investigative actions are being carried out in close coordination with relevant units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia and the National Food Agency (LEPL) under the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture. Representatives of the National Food Agency are directly participating in the search operations.
Current findings suggest the poisoning may be linked to a bacterial infection originating from food products delivered to the kindergartens. The exact item responsible for the outbreak will be conclusively identified through ongoing laboratory testing.
The investigation remains active. The agency is seizing key evidence, documentation, and food samples from all nurseries where food poisoning cases have been reported.
Further updates regarding the progress and findings of the investigation will be communicated to the public in due course,” the official statement read.