Over 450 people in Dong Nai, Vietnam, have been hospitalized with stomach pain, vomiting, and other symptoms after consuming ‘banh mi’ Vietnamese-style sandwiches from a well-known bakery in the region, reports Tuoi Tre News. The victims began showing symptoms approximately 4 to 8 hours after consuming the sandwiches.
The affected individuals, many who were children, were admitted to a local hospital where they received medical attention. Among the hospitalized patients, many have been stabilized and discharged, while the remaining patients’ health still requires further monitoring before they can be released. Two patients are in critical care and have been put on ventilators.
The size of the outbreak is so large because the bakery sold 1,100 sandwiches earlier this week.
In response to the incident, the local health department and other relevant units inspected the bakery for food safety violations. Food samples from the bakery have been taken for testing and the bakery has temporarily suspended its bread processing business until an investigation has been completed.
Investigators have initially found that the bakery lacked essential certifications for food safety, including a certificate of eligibility and proper training for handling food. Additionally, there was no health certificate for the workers or any paperwork documenting the bakery’s suppliers. The bakery does have a current business registration, however.
The business has been urged to quickly rectify its non-compliance with current food safety regulations.
In response, the government has requested relevant local health agencies to setup up inspections and monitoring of smaller food establishments, vendors, and caterers to better uphold food safety regulations and mitigate the risk of foodborne illnesses.
This is the second reported case of food poisoning from consumption of banh mi sandwiches in Vietnam this year. In March, 23 people were sickened resulting in a fine for the seller and suspension of operations for four months. A September 2023 incident sickened 313 customers of a popular bakery in the central part of the country. That business was also fined and forced to shut down for three months.
“Adherence to food safety regulations and proper hygiene practices in food establishments is a global requirement, not just a local one,” said one national food safety attorney, commenting on this story. “Consumers should choose reputable eateries that prioritize safety and comply with health departments standards.”
