Yakutsk shawarma kiosk shut down after poisoning mother and child

A street food kiosk in Yakutsk has been shut down after a woman and her child fell seriously ill from eating shawarma. The incident, which occurred on 18 May 2026, triggered an investigation that uncovered severe hygiene violations. Authorities have now ordered the kiosk to halt operations for 90 days. The poisoning happened when a local woman and her child consumed shawarma from the kiosk. The child suffered such severe symptoms that they required two days in intensive care, followed by five more days in hospital. The mother was treated on-site with a stomach pump.

An inspection by Rospotrebnadzor revealed 21 major sanitary breaches. The kiosk was found in a state of extreme filth, with old stains, dirt on walls and floors, and no evidence of disinfection. Raw ingredients were stored without labels or proper documentation, and no standardised recipes existed for prepared dishes.

Further violations included the absence of quality control or lab testing for food products. The kiosk also had just one sink, which was used for handwashing, cleaning utensils, and washing vegetables. Due to the systemic nature of these failures, authorities imposed a 90-day suspension. The kiosk must now remain closed until mid-August 2026. The case highlights the risks of inadequate food safety measures, with two people hospitalised after consuming contaminated food. Officials have not yet announced whether further penalties will follow.