Summary:

On Thursday 24 August 2024, residents of Utica in Bizerte blocked the road leading to Tunis in protest after the poisoning of 170 people at a wedding dinner. The protesters called for the release of the results of the investigation, including the cause of the food poisoning while, blaming authorities for delays in sharing this information.  

The poisoning took place on Monday 19 August impacting a range of individuals from a 2-year-old child to a 75-year-old man. They were treated in different emergency rooms and hospitals which were mobilized to manage the incident. 

The National Food Safety Authority dispatched a team of experts to investigate the incident and determine the cause. Early analysis indicated that the eggs used in the dinner were inappropriately stored at high temperatures before being cooked. 

Days later, the director of the National Food Safety Authority stated that 717 food poisoning cases were registered in forty-four different poisoning hotspots in Tunisia from January 2024 to late August 2024. This included 16 cases at family celebrations, eight cases at schools, 14 at fast foods restaurants and four at tourist sites.  

Most of these cases were registered during the summer period as a previous declaration noted 172 poisoning cases from January to April 2024. Nearly 550 cases occurred between April and August. 

Outlook: 

This food poisoning incident shows how social tensions can unexpectedly erupt with frustration directed at the government due to highly localized circumstances. The fact that the protesters blocked the road following such an incident highlights how quickly and dangerously situations can escalate into civil disobedience.  

The number of food poisoning incidents recorded in 2024 also point to the need to be cautious when buying and ordering food products, particularly those requiring sanitary or cold storage such as eggs, meat, and some fruit and vegetables. Verification of the quality and the hygiene of storage and preparation spaces is essential before consuming food products. 

Shopping from well-established and reputable stores while avoiding informal sales venues is preferable but not always feasible. Diligence is necessary regardless of the point of purchase.  

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