Poisoning of children in Gramsh/ AKU: The eggs were not contaminated, the infection occurred inside the kindergarten

After the serious incident of poisoning several children in Kindergarten No. 1 in the city of Gramsh, the National Food Authority (AKU) has issued an official announcement, clarifying that the eggs used in children's food were not contaminated with salmonella.

According to the statement of the AKU, the analyzes carried out on the production farms and at the egg supplier have been negative for the presence of Salmonella spp. On the contrary, the samples taken within the premises of the kindergarten itself have been positive, leading to the conclusion that the contamination occurred in the food preparation premises of the preschool institution itself.

FULL ANNOUNCEMENT OF AKU:

Regarding the situation that occurred in Garden No. 1, in the city of Gramsh, we clarify the public opinion that the National Food Authority, after the official traceability verifications for the VEZË product, confirms:

The samples taken at the egg producing entity have been negative for the indicator Salmonella spp. Also, from the communication with the Regional Veterinary Service at AKU, it has been announced that the poultry farm was tested during May 2025 for Salmonellosis, the result of which was negative (healthy bird).
The samples taken in the entity supplied by the producer and at the same time the supplier of Garden No. 1 Gramsh have been negative for the indicator Salmonella spp.

The samples taken in the Kindergarten No. 1 Gramsh entity result in the presence of Salmonella spp.

From this information received so far, it is thought that the contamination of eggs in Garden No. 1 Gramsh has occurred in the premises of Garden No. 1 Gramsh by other non-food factors (not the egg product).

It is worth noting that from the communication with the units of the LUV we have not had any other problematic cases with Salmonella spp, for which we are in constant inter-institutional communication.

On the other hand, posts shared on certain social networks, other than this official announcement of AKU, are not accurate and in themselves constitute public disinformation

This is because the comments on the event and the results of the analyzes in question cannot stop only at commenting on the analysis of the samples of Kindergarten No. 1 Gramsh, the subject of the event.

Pursuant to Law No. 9863 "On Food" (as amended), DCM 760, dated 16.09.2015 "On Requirements for Tracking and Animal Food Along the Food Chain" specifies the traceability processes for cases where the food product is harmful.

Anyone who feels the need for comments in such cases should be on hold as long as the traceability process and the respective analyses have not come out for all the links of the traceability process, which passes from the subject of the event, to the supplier and to the manufacturer.

It should be borne in mind that in the future anyone who will make irresponsible or incorrect statements may be the subject of criminal proceedings.

The analyses confirmed according to this public information to AKU regarding the negative results for Salmonella spp in the producing entity and in the supplying entity, highlight the inaccuracy of certain posts on social networks.

In implementation of the legal obligation, with its direct engagement and in cooperation with other institutions, AKU will remain in constant communication in the future.