Following the hospitalization of over 120 people due to a mass outbreak of rare and dangerous food poisoning, Russia has arrested two salad workers, as well as the general director of the company that delivered the tainted food.
Russian State Media said the toxic outbreak came from salads distributed by the Kuchnia Na Rayone food delivery service, which temporarily suspended its operations on Sunday amid a criminal investigation.
Anton Lozin, the general director of Kuchia Na Rayone, was among those arrested, along with two other employees from Gastroport who prepared the salads.
Russia's Investigative Committee, which probes major crimes, initiated a separate illegal migration case after "several foreign citizens" were found to be unlawfully registered at a place of residence during the investigation.
Over 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.
The World Health Organization states that foodborne botulism can be fatal without rapid treatment with antitoxins. Botulism, which does not pass between people, is an extremely rare condition, typically caused by improperly processed food.
There were reportedly 82 confirmed cases of botulism across the European Economic Area in 2021.
Moscow's Deputy Mayor Anastasia Rakova provided an update on the situation on Monday, stating that there was "no threat to the lives" of those who had been hospitalized thanks to timely medical intervention, according to the Moscow Times.
