More than 200 treated for food poisoning in Fallujah linked to fast food vendor

FALLUJAH — More than 200 people in Iraq’s Anbar governorate were treated for food poisoning over a 48-hour period after consuming meals from a local fast food outlet, health officials said Sunday.

The Anbar Health Directorate reported 214 confirmed cases across three hospitals, with 191 patients treated at Fallujah Teaching Hospital, 18 at Fallujah Maternity and Children’s Hospital, and five at Amiriya General Hospital.

All patients experienced mild to moderate symptoms and fully recovered after receiving medical care. No fatalities were reported.

Officials linked the outbreak to a fast food vendor operating in Fallujah, though the business has not been publicly identified. The health directorate said an investigation is underway and pledged legal action if violations are confirmed.

In a statement, the directorate praised the rapid response of medical staff. “The Anbar Health Directorate appreciates the major efforts made by the on-call medical and nursing teams, as well as hospital administrations, for providing urgent and complete healthcare to the patients,” it said.

Authorities said additional steps are being taken to ensure food safety and prevent future incidents. “We are committed to protecting public health and are taking all necessary legal and health steps to prevent such incidents from happening again,” the statement said.

Foodborne illness linked to unregulated vendors remains a challenge in parts of Iraq, where enforcement of health standards can vary widely.