According to Mikheil Sarjveladze, Minister of Health and Social Affairs of Georgia, more than 100 children required hospitalization due to intoxication in Tbilisi kindergartens. The minister noted that none of the patients faced a risk of developing complications.
“The number of children requiring hospitalization has exceeded 100; however, fortunately, in no case did their condition demand emergency attention regarding the risk of potential complications.”
According to Sarjveladze, an investigation will establish the exact causes of the incident.
“Following a thorough investigation, we will know precisely what happened, and everyone responsible will have to answer if anyone’s guilt is proven.
I see no grounds for any complaints against the National Food Agency. It is curious why a regulatory body should bear liability at all if it is carrying out oversight,” the minister noted.
In turn, Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze (the city’s public kindergartens are managed by the municipal administration) urged against jumping to conclusions:
“Claiming that the issue was caused by food products, or completely ruling that out, is incorrect. […] We must wait for the findings of the investigation by the relevant agencies, and based on its results, appropriate action will certainly follow.”
According to Kaladze, more than 60,000 children attend kindergartens in Tbilisi. Since 2023, an international standard—the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) system—has been implemented, allowing full oversight of food supplies from the producer and distributor to the end recipient.
“I state with full responsibility that not a single product is accepted without test reports from an accredited laboratory. I state with full responsibility: we do not accept a single product without appropriate laboratory testing.”
The mayor also assured that he understands the concerns of parents and wished the children a speedy recovery.