In the "Samal" kindergarten in Kandyagash, Mugalzhar District, Aktobe Region, more than 19 kg of oatmeal contaminated with insects was destroyed. The institution was also fined.
According to MIA "Kazinform", the district sanitary and epidemiological control department conducted an unscheduled inspection of the kindergarten after a report of insects found in porridge during breakfast.
During the inspection, department staff identified violations of food storage regulations. In particular, the institution did not have a humidity monitoring device installed, and the refrigerator lacked a thermometer, indicating that storage conditions for the products were inadequate.
"During a visual inspection of the warehouse where the cereals were stored, insects were found. Beetles were also discovered in a sample of oatmeal taken the previous day, pointing to violations in food preparation technology. During the inspection, a sample of the oatmeal was sent to the regional branch of the 'National Centre for Expertise' in the Aktobe Region. According to the research report, live pests were found in the oatmeal. As a result, a commission was formed, and 19.350 kg of 'Hercules' brand oatmeal was destroyed," the statement said.
The kindergarten was also fined 452,180 tenge and issued an order to rectify the violations.
Furthermore, the regional education department reported that, in connection with the incident, the kindergarten director, head cook, and nurse had been dismissed. The storekeeper and two cooks received official reprimands.
For context, in October of last year, in the city of Kulsary, Zhylyoi District, Atyrau Region, parents of children sent to a holiday camp held a mass protest outside the district akimat building. They reported that the children had discovered numerous cockroaches in the camp's dormitories in the city of Zheleznovodsk. At the time, the head of the Atyrau Region Education Department, Marat Abuov, stated that the insects had entered the building due to bad weather.