On December 16, Lam Dong Provincial Department of Health requested the People's Committees of communes, wards and special zones to coordinate in strengthening the prevention and control of food poisoning related to bread.
According to the Department of Health, recently, many localities across the country have consecutively recorded food poisoning cases related to bread, with a very large number of cases.
In Lam Dong, on December 15, the Department of Health recorded 71 people having to be hospitalized for treatment, suspected of food poisoning.
Through initial epidemiological investigation, the patients said that they had used bread purchased at a street food business (B.B. cold meat bread truck) before showing symptoms.
From this incident, the Department of Health requested the People's Committees of communes, wards and special zones to coordinate in strengthening the management of bread business activities in particular and street food in general.
The focus is on reviewing and fully compiling statistics on establishments and individuals selling bread, especially street vendors and mobile vehicles. Thereby, strengthening inspection and supervision of compliance with food safety regulations; promptly detecting and strictly handling violations in accordance with regulations.
At the same time, the health sector requires promoting communication and guidance on food safety practices, focusing on high-risk ingredients such as pangasius, cold meat and silkworm pupae.
Notably, localities are recommended to publicize facilities that have been fined for not ensuring food safety so that people can proactively choose safe purchasing points and prevent the risk of poisoning.
For consumers, the Department of Health recommends choosing to buy bread at reputable establishments, limiting the use of fast food at sidewalk stores of unknown origin and not using food with unusual signs.
For business establishments, it is required to ensure a clean display area, ingredients of clear origin, and comply with health regulations and food safety knowledge of processors.
As Lao Dong reported, since the afternoon of December 12, hospitals in Phan Thiet area (old Binh Thuan) have received many people hospitalized with stomach aches, vomiting, repeated diarrhea, fever... suspected of food poisoning.
The Food Safety Department (Ministry of Health) has sent a document to the Lam Dong Provincial Department of Health requesting clarification of the incident and traceability of food.
The Lam Dong Provincial Food Safety and Hygiene Department has issued a decision to temporarily suspend the operation of the related business establishment and collect food samples and trace the origin to serve the investigation.
