The Nghe An Provincial People's Committee (UBND) issued a decision on 30/5 to fine Nguyen Thi Quynh, 31, residing in Hamlet 5, Dien Chau commune. The penalty was for processing, supplying, and selling food that did not meet food safety standards, causing food poisoning that affected the health of five or more people, but not to the extent of criminal prosecution.
Beyond the 80 million dong fine, the two establishments of Quynh bakery in Block 4 and Trung Hong hamlet, Dien Chau commune, were suspended from operations for three months. Additionally, Ms. Quynh must bear all costs for food poisoning treatment, examination, and care for the victims.
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One establishment of Quynh bakery in Dien Chau commune is currently suspended from operations. Photo: Hung Le |
One establishment of Quynh bakery in Dien Chau commune is currently suspended from operations. Photo: Hung Le
According to authorities, on 17/4, the two Quynh establishments sold dozens of banh mi loaves. A few hours later, the first food poisoning cases emerged with symptoms of digestive disorders such as vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and some cases accompanied by high fever.
In the following days, the number of hospitalized individuals increased, totaling 62 cases.
Test results from specialized agencies revealed that out of seven patient samples, five tested positive for Salmonella bacteria. Contaminated items included pate, grilled meat, sausage, shredded pork floss, and pickled radish. The two negative samples were pork sausage and ketchup.
"The source of contamination likely originated from the pate and grilled meat, subsequently cross-contaminating the remaining food items," a leader from the Nghe An Department of Health stated.
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Food poisoning patients receiving treatment at Dien Chau General Hospital on 21/4. Photo: Hung Le |
Food poisoning patients receiving treatment at Dien Chau General Hospital on 21/4. Photo: Hung Le
Salmonella is a common agent causing digestive infections, typically starting 16-48 hours later with symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, nausea, and fatigue. Most cases recover naturally after 4-7 days. However, in young children, the elderly, or immunocompromised individuals, the illness can cause severe complications like septicemia and meningitis, posing a life threat if not treated promptly.
Recently, southern provinces have continuously recorded hundreds of hospitalizations after consuming banh mi. On 3-4/3, 79 patients in Vung Tau ward suffered food poisoning after eating street banh mi on Do Chieu street. A few days prior, 22 people in Ho Chi Minh City (TP HCM) and over 70 people at Hong Ngoc 12 establishment (Dong Thap) also experienced similar symptoms.
Duc Hung
