Food Poisoning Affects at Least 70 Students at Tarbiat Modares University in Tehran

Several Iranian media outlets and student organizations have reported food poisoning affecting at least 70 students at Tarbiat Modares University in Tehran, with some being sent to medical facilities. According to reports, these students fell ill after having 'tuna fish and mashed potatoes' for dinner, starting from the early hours of Saturday, November 19. Published images show the presence of emergency vehicles, including bus ambulances, to treat the affected students. Meanwhile, according to ISNA news agency, Ali Mohammadi, the head of the Cultural University, expressed ignorance about the cause of the poisoning, claiming that 36 student teachers were transferred to the hospital 'due to gastrointestinal issues.' He also stated that it is unclear whether this incident was 'due to food poisoning or a hygienic factor.' In contrast, Babak Yektapars, spokesperson for Iran's Emergency Organization, confirmed that the reason for the 'transfer of 36 students from Tarbiat Modares University' was 'food poisoning,' and that the affected students were taken to three hospitals: Firouzgar, Yas, and Shariati. Numerous reports have emerged regarding student protests at various universities in Iran over the quality of university food and student food poisoning incidents. Based on published information, students at Hamadan Industrial University protested last week by placing their university food trays on the ground following a mass food poisoning incident among their classmates. Student news channels, referencing the food poisoning of a group of students at Hamadan Industrial University on November 12, described the recurrence of such incidents as a 'domino effect of student poisonings under the National Unity Government.' The Amir Kabir newsletter criticized the 'poor quality of student cafeteria food,' stating that after the 'removal of subsidies' for students at Alzahra University, expired food and food contaminated with insects were provided to students. The 'Progressive Students' organization also criticized the trend of student poisonings on the social media platform 'X,' stating: 'Sacrificing the quality of students' education for theft and further profiteering by university officials is a routine practice of the Islamic Republic in dealing with student life issues.' Food poisoning is not limited to universities; students and workers have also suffered food poisoning, with some cases resulting in fatalities. For instance, students at a boys' school in Kashmar, Razavi Khorasan Province, fell ill on November 16 after consuming breakfast prepared at the school, with 42 of them being sent to the hospital. The provision of unhealthy food to workers at a subsidiary of the Bakhtar Petrochemical Holding in Assaluyeh in August of this year also led to the poisoning of 180 individuals and the death of one worker.