Helsinki food safety unit investigates food poisoning linked to raw beetroot at Tapanila daycare

The City of Helsinki’s food safety unit is investigating food poisoning incidents potentially linked to raw grated beetroot served at the Tapanila daycare Tilhe on Friday. The daycare caters to approximately 150 children, providing early childhood education for one- and two-year-olds. Around 20 individuals fell ill, with roughly half of them being children, according to daycare director Anneli Haura.

Symptoms began rapidly after the meal, within about half an hour, Haura reported. The number of children present at the daycare last Friday was significantly lower due to the autumn break. “Fortunately,” Haura remarked. Typically, adults dine first at Tilhe, and they started showing symptoms quickly, according to Haura. She was not on-site that day, but the assistant director managed the situation well to avoid chaos. Families were promptly informed, and some staff members went home, but overall, the situation remained very calm, Haura added.

All patients had resolved their symptoms the same day. The recommended cooking guidelines for beetroot were not necessarily known at the daycare. Food served at the daycare is sourced from the central kitchen in Pakkala, but salads are prepared on-site. According to food authority recommendations, beetroot should only be consumed when properly cooked. Haura was uncertain if the kitchen staff was aware of this. “I cannot say, I am not an expert in that field, but apparently not. Otherwise, it likely wouldn’t have happened,” she summarized.

Environmental services have taken samples and inspected the daycare’s kitchen but found no deficiencies. The unit is collaborating with the social and health authorities. The food safety unit last investigated a raw beetroot-related outbreak in 2016.