Pupils at three primary schools, Mac Dinh Chi, Le Van Tam, and Tran Van On, in Rach Gia City, were given meals consisting of rice, cabbage and bean soup with fish balls, braised pork, and jackfruit for lunch on November 15.
After having a short nap, they were given some noodles with vegetables at 1 pm. All the food was prepared by a local supplier, Cat Tuong Company.
At around 2 pm, many students started to develop the symptoms of food poisoning including stomachaches and vomiting. A total of 93 students had to be sent to hospital for treatment.
According to the department, sample food testing results showed that the braised pork was contaminated with bacteria exceeding the regulated levels, including Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, and that was the cause of the food poisoning.
Authorities found that the kitchen of Cat Tuong Food Supply Company where the meals were prepared, violated sanitary regulations.
Rach Gia City People's Committee has asked local schools to cancel their food supply contract with the company while local authorities are investigating its violations.
