Eight residents of St. Petersburg consumed meals produced by Ivori Garden, a brand associated with Fitness Food LLC. One local was diagnosed with salmonella after eating foods linked to the company’s facilities, a finding confirmed by officials from the city’s health oversight body. The exposure prompted officials to review safety measures across facilities and processes tied to the brand, as authorities gathered facts about the episode and its potential impact on the community.
By October 26, authorities reported that eleven people had fallen ill due to products associated with the restaurant network involved in the incident. In response, the state ministry overseeing public health initiated a full epidemiological inquiry to identify the source of contamination, determine the extent of exposure, and assess risks to other customers and nearby vendors. The investigation aimed to clarify the timeline from production to service and to verify whether similar cases might surface in the coming days.
During the inquiry, investigators found violations of mandatory sanitary and epidemiological requirements in the provision of public catering services. A laboratory analysis confirmed the presence of Salmonella in a tested food product, and officials emphasized that any link between the caught illness and a specific batch would be established through careful examination of supply chains, cooking practices, and handling procedures. The results underscored the need for corrective actions to ensure food safety for all customers and to prevent repeat incidents.
A protocol was issued to temporarily suspend the affected food business activities while the review continued. The suspension aimed to protect public health and provide time for a thorough assessment of cleaning protocols, equipment sanitation, ingredient sourcing, and employee hygiene practices. In parallel, inspectors sought to verify whether other outlets within the network operated under the same standards and whether any additional products might require recall or further testing to confirm their safety for consumers.