The penalty was imposed for operating a food business without a valid certificate of eligibility for food safety, after inspections at the outlet where the incident occurred.
The Ngoc Ha banh mi shop operates two locations on Doc Lap Street and in the Phuoc Lap area, selling an average of about 800 sandwiches a day. From December 19, many customers reported symptoms including severe abdominal pain, diarrhoea and mild fever after eating the sandwiches.
Hospitals said the symptoms were consistent with gastrointestinal food poisoning.
According to authorities in Phu My Ward, a total of 125 cases were recorded, including 122 patients treated at clinics and hospitals in the former Ba Ria-Vung Tau area and three treated in neighbouring Dong Nai Province.
Following the incident, authorities carried out a joint inspection of the establishment to determine the cause. Nine food samples were collected and sent for laboratory testing.
Officials said they are awaiting test results before issuing a final conclusion on the cause of the suspected mass poisoning.
