In Rivne, three schools switched their food service providers following an outbreak of salmonellosis
In Rivne, the city council terminated its contract with Ramedas Ukraine LLC, which had been providing meals to students at three educational institutions, following an outbreak of salmonellosis. The affected schools are the “Leader-Elitar” Lyceum, Gymnasium No. 5, and Lyceum No. 13.
Twenty-three students at these schools showed signs of intestinal infections. Laboratory tests confirmed salmonellosis in 16 children.
The Commission on Technogenic and Environmental Safety and Emergencies reviewed the situation. It decided to terminate the contract with “Ramedas Ukraine” at all general secondary education institutions where the company provided meal services.
According to Viktor Moroz, an epidemiologist at the Rivne Regional Center for Disease Control and Prevention, an outbreak of salmonellosis was reported in Rivne among students at three educational institutions. Sixteen children fell ill: 12 students from the “Leader-Elitar” Lyceum, two students from Gymnasium No. 5, and two students from Lyceum No. 13.
The cafeteria at Gymnasium No. 5 supplied ready-made meals to the “Leader-Elitar” Lyceum and Lyceum No. 13. Specialists tested swabs from surfaces, ready-made meals, and water, and also examined cafeteria staff.
E. coli bacteria were detected in a beet salad and in seven surface swabs. Additionally, Salmonella Enteritidis was detected in a cafeteria worker. According to the experts’ findings, the outbreak is linked to violations of food preparation procedures and personal hygiene rules.
Commission members also instructed the Department of Education to consider terminating or temporarily suspending contracts in the event of violations by food suppliers or outbreaks of acute intestinal infections or food poisoning.
In addition, the Department of Education must conduct unscheduled inspections to verify compliance with HACCP requirements and food storage conditions in educational institutions.
This was announced on the evening of September 30 by Viktor Shakirzyan, secretary of the Rivne City Council.
Unannounced inspections of school meals have begun in Ukraine.
As a reminder, school lunches will be inspected throughout Ukraine.
On September 1, 2026, the final phase of scaling up the state program for free hot meals began in Ukraine, extending the program to all students in grades 1–11 (12) at public schools offering full-time and blended learning formats.
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