Gramsh/ Several children are poisoned in a state kindergarten, due to food contaminated with salmonella

Several children are suspected of being poisoned in a state-run kindergarten in Gramsh.

It is learned that the group of children presented to the hospital with symptoms of poisoning, vomiting and fever. 72 samples were taken for laboratory analysis, of which 30 were separated for examination and from these samples, 12 children are suspected of having been affected by poisoning.

According to preliminary information, it is suspected that the case is related to poisoning resulting from food contaminated with salmonella.

The case has been reported by the Citizens' Resistance, which has also made public the results of the laboratory tests. The resistance demands an urgent investigation by the authorities, stating that the food is becoming an alarm bell.

"The poisoning of 70 children from salmonella food in a public kindergarten in the city of Gramsh is an alarm bell regarding food safety in public institutions such as nurseries, kindergartens and hospitals.

The situation is made worse not only by the lack of response from institutions, but also by attempts to hide the event, as if it were normal, while 70 families spent the night of May 22 in the hospital.

There are dozens of tenders held every month to supply food to nurseries and kindergartens in the country that do not pass through any filter, leaving children's health in the hands of greed.

Civic Resistance demands that this case be urgently investigated and those responsible brought to justice.

A few weeks ago, Albanians learned that they had consumed tons of chicken fillets contaminated with salmonella, while the AKU has become an institution that has failed to fulfill its main mission, preventing the introduction of food products that do not meet standards into the market.

On March 11, 2025, the AKU conducted a random inspection of 1 of the 4 lots that an Albanian company brought from Brazil, where 1 container with 8 tons of meat was inspected.

The AKU received the response from the ISUV laboratory regarding the presence of salmonella in the sample taken on March 21, while the public was notified 1 week late, when the meat shipment had been released to the market.

Investigations into this scandal are ongoing, but the precedent created is dangerous, as more than ever Albanians must be held accountable for the quality of the food they buy in fair proportion to the income they spend on food, which is the highest in Europe.

"The government's forgiveness of fines further aggravates the situation of impunity in the country, but also the irresponsibility of private operators towards citizens ," writes Qëndresa Qytetare on Facebook.