In early July, the National Agency for Food Safety received a report from the Chisinau Public Health Center about cases of food poisoning at the Children’s Leisure Center operated by the Don Bosco Foundation. According to the procedures for surveillance and control of food poisoning, the Agency’s inspectors immediately went to the site and started an epidemiological investigation of the case.
During the surprise inspection at the leisure center, the inspectors examined important aspects related to food safety. Samples of prepared food and raw materials were taken daily, both from the center’s kitchen and from the food supplier, SRL La Pino Blic. Initial laboratory tests detected the presence of Salmonella in samples of pasta with egg and in chicken breast used to prepare food for children.
The inspection revealed that “Don Bosco” was operating without the necessary permit for sanitary and veterinary activities of public catering and without a permit to organize a day camp, issued by the Interindustry Commission in accordance with Government Decree no. 334 of 23.04.2009. In addition, SRL La Pino Blic lacked a sanitary and veterinary permit for the provision of catering services.
Serious violations of food safety and hygiene legislation were also identified, including:
– Non-compliance with the requirements for traceability of purchased products and prepared meals.
– Lack of a standardized menu for children’s meals in the day camp.
– Failure to comply with recommendations on healthy eating and physical activity for children in Moldovan educational institutions, including the use of prohibited food products.
– Failure to ensure hygienic conditions during food preparation in the food processing unit.
– Acquisition of products without appropriate documents confirming their safety and quality.
– Non-compliance with sanitary requirements for transportation of food products.
– Serving culinary dishes on the territory of the unit in an improperly organized mobile ward
