Food poisoning at Bafra hospitals in Samsun sickens around 450 health workers

In the Bafra district of Samsun Province, Turkey, a suspected food‑borne illness affected dozens of health workers at two public hospitals – Bafra State Hospital and Bafra Mouth and Dental Health Hospital. Employees who ate the midday catering menu, which included a trileçe dessert, reported nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and fatigue, prompting emergency treatment. Early reports cited about 200 cases; union statements later said roughly 450 staff were impacted.

The provincial health directorate opened an investigation, sampling the dessert, other dishes, water, kitchen equipment and the catering contractor, whose name has not been released pending legal procedures. Health‑worker unions, represented by Öz Sağlık‑İş Sendikası deputy branch chief Adnan Günal, demanded a full inquiry, accountability for those responsible and stronger, regular inspections of hospital food services.

Authorities continue laboratory and forensic analysis while monitoring the condition of the affected staff, most of whom have been discharged in stable condition.