Riyadh Municipality Investigates Food Poisoning Outbreak Linked to Single Company
In a recent update, Riyadh Municipality has revealed that a thorough investigation by health authorities points to a single company as the cause of multiple cases of food poisoning. The culprit? The bacterium clostridium botulinum, which led to numerous individuals being hospitalized.
The municipality has also stated that the implicated company could face fines for the outbreak, which was first reported on April 25. As a result, all branches and food-processing facilities of the company in Riyadh and Al-Kharj have been shut down. The amount of the fine will be determined based on the severity of the incident and its impact on those affected.
While the duration of the closures has not been specified, all food products within the company’s premises will be disposed of. Additionally, a rigorous cleaning and disinfection process will be overseen by municipal officials to ensure the safety of future operations.
Despite the unfortunate incident, Riyadh Municipality assures the public that other food establishments in the region are safe to patronize. The focus remains on the source of the outbreak, with no other cases reported from different sources.
Although the company in question was not explicitly named in the recent statement, previous reports by Arab News suggest a potential link to the Hamburgini fast-food chain. Dr. Mohammed Al-Abd Al-Aly, spokesperson for the Ministry of Health, shared updates on the affected individuals, with some already discharged but others still receiving intensive care.
Prompt action was taken by health oversight teams in response to reports of the food poisoning cases, demonstrating a commitment to public safety. The founder and CEO of Hamburgini, Nawaf Al-Fozan, acknowledged the chain’s involvement in the outbreak through a video on social media, emphasizing transparency in addressing the situation.