Dozens of children hospitalized in Fergana following mass food poisoning in state kindergartens

The incident has sparked widespread concern among residents, with parents reporting that their children returned home from kindergartens No. 2, 22, 58, and 61 suffering from high fever, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Many of the affected children have since been admitted to the local infectious diseases hospital.

Details of the outbreak

A mother of a child attending Kindergarten No. 2 told Kun.uz that the local clinics are currently overwhelmed. "My son fell ill immediately after coming home on February 20. When we took him to the polyclinic, we saw many other children from different kindergartens with the same symptoms," she said.

Another parent, whose child attends Kindergarten No. 58, stated that teachers had warned parents in Telegram groups to be vigilant and provide fluids, explicitly mentioning "food poisoning." Some parents noted that medical staff suggested the cause might be related to meat products served in the meals.

Issues with the catering system

The head of Kindergarten No. 2 confirmed to Kun.uz that five of her students were hospitalized. She noted that ready-made meals are provided via an outsourcing system by a private company, Garden Catering Trade LLC, based in Kuvasay.

According to a daily menu document obtained by the editorial office, the meals served on February 20 included:

• Breakfast: Buckwheat, milk tea, bread, and butter.
• Lunch: Borscht, meatballs, homemade potatoes, carrot and apple salad, bread, and dried fruit compote.
• Afternoon snack: Raisin cake and tea.
• Dinner: Mashed potatoes, tea, and bread.

Garden Catering Trade LLC is currently 100% owned by Iqboljon Bozorov. The catering system was introduced in Fergana as an experimental pilot program following a decision by the governor of Fergana region on July 25, 2024. Although the regional administration hailed the project as a first-of-its-kind "healthy eating" initiative in Uzbekistan, it has faced significant criticism.

Regulatory warnings ignored

Prior to this incident, the Ministry of Preschool and School Education conducted an audit of Garden Catering and found numerous violations. The investigation revealed that the company’s recipes and nutritional values did not comply with sanitary-hygienic standards. Furthermore, the Committee for the Development of Competition and Protection of Consumer Rights had previously demanded that the governor of Fergana region cancel the decision granting the catering contract to the Kuvasay-based firm.

Allegations of a cover-up

Parents have expressed frustration over what they describe as attempts to suppress information. Several citizens told Kun.uz that officials are trying to prevent news of the poisoning from spreading online. Reportedly, administrators of kindergarten Telegram groups have restricted parents' ability to post messages and are deleting any mentions of the mass illness.

A Kun.uz correspondent is currently on the ground in Fergana to further investigate the details of the incident and the condition of the hospitalized children.