Over 172 tons of botulism-causing products confiscated in Russia

The Russian Federal Service for Consumer Rights Protection and Human Welfare (Rospotrebnadzor) confiscated more than 172 metric tons of products causing botulism progressing in a number of Russian regions, the agency’s press service said.

"More than 172 metric tons of dangerous products were made unavailable. Over 100 declarations of product conformity were terminated at the request of Rospotrebnadzor," the statement reads.

The Investigative Committee said it had determined the food companies had violated multiple sanitary and epidemiological standards, including failing to submit laboratory test reports and engaging in poor production control.

More than 170 people in Moscow, Nizhny Novgorod and Kazan sought medical attention with botulism symptoms earlier. More than 40 patients are in a grave condition in hospitals.