The Food Safety Authority under the Ministry of Health on June 18 requested the Dong Thap Department of Health to direct relevant agencies to urgently investigate a mass food poisoning incident linked to Hong Ngoc Bakery.
The authority noted that this is the second suspected food poisoning outbreak associated with the Hong Ngoc bread production facility in recent months, raising concerns about ongoing risks to consumers and public confidence.
The Hong Ngoc banh mi facility (Photo: Contributor).
The Ministry of Health instructed local hospitals and healthcare facilities treating affected patients to mobilise resources and ensure timely medical care to prevent serious health consequences.
Authorities were also directed to conduct a full epidemiological investigation and trace the origin of ingredients and food products suspected of causing the outbreak. Food samples and patient specimens are to be collected and tested to identify the source of contamination and determine the responsibilities of any organisations or individuals involved.
Provincial authorities said the My Tho Regional Medical Centre first reported cases of suspected food poisoning on June 16 linked to banh mi sold by Hong Ngoc 37, located at 64-66 Bis-62 Ly Thuong Kiet Street in Dao Thanh Ward.
By the evening of June 18, 218 people had been admitted to hospital with suspected food poisoning after consuming banh mi from the bakery.
Patients were admitted to hospital suffering from symptoms including fever, abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhoea. They are being treated at Tien Giang General Hospital, Military Hospital 120 and the My Tho Regional Medical Centre.
Food safety inspectors have conducted checks at the Hong Ngoc bread production and retail facility and ordered it to suspend all operations from 7 pm on June 16 pending the outcome of an investigation.
The latest incident follows another major food poisoning outbreak in Dong Thap Province earlier this year.
Between February 24 and March 7, a total of 86 people were hospitalised after consuming meat-filled banh mi produced by Hong Ngoc 12 Bakery in Hong Ngu Ward.
Following an investigation, Dong Thap provincial authorities fined the business VND 90 million (approximately USD 3,450) and ordered it to pay more than VND 175 million (approximately USD 6,700) to cover food poisoning response costs as well as medical examination and treatment expenses for the 86 affected individuals.