Many cases of poisoning, hundreds of people hospitalized due to dirty food
During the peak tourist and festival season, the number of tourists to Gia Lai increased sharply. Functional forces assessed that the food safety situation is developing complicatedly, with many potential risks, raising warnings for society.
Functional agencies have recorded 2 suspected food poisoning cases involving hundreds of people after eating bread in Quy Nhon Dong and Quy Nhon Nam wards. The cases are being investigated and clarified.
These incidents not only seriously damage the health and lives of consumers but also negatively affect security, order and the tourism image of the locality.
The Economic Police Department has inspected, discovered and transferred to Market Management Team No. 1 to handle 2 cases of food safety violations.
In the first case, Mr. T.V. Q's establishment in Hoi Phu ward, which trades in 1,200 meat sausage plants of unknown origin, was fined 11.5 million VND and forced to destroy all goods.
In the second case, business household N.T. T. H. in Thong Nhat ward, trading 192kg of ginseng vines and 26kg of water spinach leaves of unknown origin, was fined 17 million VND and forced to destroy all violating goods.
Functional agencies warn food production, business, and processing establishments not to use spoiled, unknown origin raw materials or toxic chemicals and additives outside the permitted list.
During the 2026 festival peak, the Economic Police Department coordinates with relevant units to strengthen surprise inspections, closely monitor supply chains, wholesale markets, bread production facilities, ready-to-eat food and food service business points serving the festival.
Criminal handling for deterrence and warning
In particular, event venues, tourist attractions and crowded service establishments will be regularly inspected. Violations will be administratively sanctioned; if there are sufficient elements to constitute a crime, they may be prosecuted for criminal liability according to the provisions of law.
In June 2026, Market Management Team No. 5 coordinated with Binh Dinh Public Service Center and Quy Nhon Bac Ward Health Station to inspect business household T.H, located in Quy Nhon Bac ward, which is trading in animal products of all kinds.
Through inspection, functional forces discovered 113kg of animal products including: cốm cake, grilled pork fat cake, goose lung, frozen pork intestines (dồi trường), cartilage intestines, beef hooves, cut beef tails and many other products.
All goods had no labels, could not be identified for origin; many products showed signs of spoilage, not ensuring food safety and hygiene. At the time of inspection, the facility owner could not present invoices, documents and papers proving the legality of goods as prescribed.
Mr. Nguyen Huu Que - Vice Chairman of Gia Lai Provincial People's Committee - requested functional sectors to implement a peak period of prevention, control and handling of food safety violations. Typical cases need to be widely publicized for deterrence, education, and general prevention.
Functional agencies should note that accounts on e-commerce platforms and social networks show signs of operating simultaneously with many different names but using the same phone number; using blurry images, erasing expiration dates; fake, unclear contact information; taking advantage of AI, KOL, KOC to advertise and sell violating food.
The Investigation Police Agency will apply measures to prevent, seize assets, freeze accounts; and at the same time investigate cash flow to recover assets obtained from crimes, ensuring handling and judgment enforcement according to regulations.
