All DUO Coffee Outlets Close in Yekaterinburg After Poisoning Complaints

All locations of the DUO coffee chain have closed following a wave of complaints about poisoning. The establishments are not operating for technical reasons, according to signs posted at the registers.

«The sign says it is closed for technical reasons on the 20th and 21st. There»s nobody inside, all the shelves are empty,« a visitor to the »Passage« location reported.

As of the day before, on 19 January, all but one location were still open. It is currently unknown if the rest of the chain«s branches will reopen today.

The Sverdlovsk regional branch of Rospotrebnadzor, the consumer protection and sanitary oversight agency, reported that sanitary inspectors have begun a check of the cafes following reports of poisoning.

It should be noted that on the afternoon of 19 January, medics visited the outlet in the «Bolshoy» department store, after which the coffee shop closed for technical reasons. DUO customers in Yekaterinburg began complaining en masse about poisonings in mid-January. Residents reported feeling unwell after visiting the establishment, with symptoms including severe vomiting, weakness, and chills.

Many residents left reviews describing their symptoms. You can read the accounts of those affected here. In response to customer complaints in the reviews, representatives of the coffee chain stated the following:

«Your health and safety are our top priority. We take every appeal very seriously and have already begun an investigation based on your feedback. All our products undergo daily inspection, and we closely monitor product quality and safety,» the chain stated, asking to be contacted via direct message.

Officially, representatives of DUO have yet to comment on the situation.