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 on 18 May 2026 led to an emergency stomach pump for the mother, while the child required two days in intensive care. Authorities launched an immediate investigation into the vendor’s operations.

Health inspectors from Rospotrebnadzor uncovered 21 severe sanitary violations at the kiosk. Problems included a complete lack of quality control, unlabeled ingredients, and unsanitary conditions. Waste management was also found to be grossly inadequate, raising serious public health concerns.

The court ruled that the kiosk had breached Article 6.6 of Russia’s Administrative Offenses Code. This article covers failures to meet sanitary standards in food service. Due to the systemic nature of the violations, the judge ordered an immediate 90-day closure. The shutdown took effect at 12:54 PM on 21 May 2026. The defendant was prohibited from operating during this period, with no option for appeal.

The kiosk will remain closed until mid-August 2026. Health officials have warned that similar violations could lead to permanent revocation of the vendor’s licence. The case highlights the risks of poor food safety practices in street food operations.