Criminal Case Opened Over Unsafe School Meals in Saratov Region

Investigators report a January 12–21 lapse in Balashov catering, prompting calls from the Duma speaker to raise meal funding.

Overview

The regional Investigative Committee opened a case under Article 238 for providing services that failed to meet safety requirements in Balashov schools.
Preliminary findings indicate students received unsafe meal services between January 12 and 21, 2026.
The Saratov regional prosecutor’s office launched inspections, bringing in Rospotrebnadzor specialists and the education ministry.
Governor Roman Busargin issued formal reprimands to Education Minister Alexander Pazhitnev and his deputy over systemic shortcomings in school meal oversight.
Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin urged tighter supplier controls and proposed doubling funding norms for primary pupils with a 1.5x increase for grades 5–11 under a unified standard.