Bishkek, Jan. 19, 2026 /Kabar/. According to data, 232 cases of food poisoning were registered in Kyrgyzstan in 2025, infecting 580 people. Of these, 11 were mass poisonings (involving more than five victims), five of which occurred at fast food establishments.
One high-profile incident occurred on January 15 in Bishkek: 24 people were poisoned after eating shawarma at a Daamduu food outlet.
Nazgul Abamuslimova, a doctor at the Department of Disease Prevention and State Sanitary and Epidemiological Surveillance, and Umut Satybaldieva, a doctor at the Bishkek City Sanitary and Epidemiological Center, told how to protect yourself from food poisoning when eating fast food speaking on Birinchi Radio.
Doctors emphasized that fast food dishes are made from products with a high epidemiological risk.
They consist of numerous ingredients—meat, vegetables, herbs, sauces—which significantly increases the risk of infection if sanitary standards are not observed.
Sauces and fresh herbs, which are often uncooked, are especially dangerous.
Experts reminded that owners and employees of food service establishments are required to strictly adhere to sanitary regulations:
proper food storage techniques;
sufficient heat treatment of meat and prepared foods;
prevention of cross-contamination—when bacteria are transferred through dirty hands, clothing, knives, and cutting boards.
The food washing and cutting area must be clearly separated from the heat treatment area.
Availability of clean running water and the ability to wash food, equipment, and staff hands are mandatory. Furthermore, food preparation should not be open. The food preparation area should be separated by glass or transparent plastic, and the transfer of prepared dishes should be done through a special window.
Customers and waiters should not have free access to the food preparation area. Personal hygiene and basic knowledge of food preparation techniques are equally important.
To prevent food poisoning, doctors recommend:
Pay attention to the overall sanitary condition of fast food outlets;
Be wary of suspiciously low prices and excessively large portions;
Avoid purchasing food in places without water, cleanliness, and order.
In general, experts do not recommend regularly consuming fast food, as it does not contain essential vitamins and minerals.
On the contrary, such dishes are often rich in carcinogens and trans fats, especially French fries and fried meat, which poses the risk of not only food poisoning but also long-term health damage.