Support The Moscow Times!

Moscow Police Arrest 3 After Mass Food Poisoning

Kuchnia Na Rayone general director Anton Lozin. Andrei Nikerichev / Moskva News Agency

Police in Moscow have detained three people following a mass food poisoning incident that left dozens hospitalized, Russian state media reported Tuesday, citing law enforcement officials. 

Health officials said Monday that more than 120 people had sought medical help and at least 30 were in intensive care with suspected foodborne botulism, a life-threatening condition that attacks the nervous system and can cause respiratory failure and paralysis.

Authorities said the toxic outbreak came from salads distributed by the Kuchnia Na Rayone delivery service, which on Sunday temporarily suspended its operations after law enforcement launched a criminal investigation into the poisonings. 

The general director of Kuchnia Na Rayone, Anton Lozin, was among those arrested in connection to that probe, the TASS news agency reported.

According to unconfirmed reports by the Baza Telegram channel, which is believed to have connections to Russian security services, two employees of Gastroport, which prepared the salads, were also arrested.

Russia’s Investigative Committee, which probes major crimes, launched a separate illegal migration case after “several foreign citizens” were found to be unlawfully registered at a place of residence during the investigation.

Moscow’s Deputy Mayor Anastasia Rakova said on Monday there was “no threat to the lives” of those who had been hospitalized thanks to timely medical intervention.

AFP contributed reporting.

Sign up for our free weekly newsletter

Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysiss and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview
Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy

A Message from The Moscow Times:

Dear readers,

We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."

These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.

By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.

Once
Monthly
Annual
Continue
paiment methods
Not ready to support today?
Remind me later.

Read more