On October 15, speaking with Lao Dong Newspaper, Mr. Dinh Vien Anh - Deputy Director of the Department of Health of Quang Tri province - said that the department had issued a decision to inspect the compliance with food safety regulations in the collective kitchens of 16 educational institutions in the area.
The inspection team is led by the Head of the Food Safety Department, conducted in a surprise manner to tighten the work of ensuring the safety of school meals.
Regarding the case of 40 students of Kim Thuy Primary Boarding School for Ethnic Minorities (Kim Ngan commune) being hospitalized for suspected food poisoning after breakfast, the authorities have identified a facility with a contract to provide breakfast for the school.
According to the leader of Kim Ngan Commune People's Committee, after having the test results, the Food Safety Department notified the Commune People's Committee to serve as a basis for handling according to its authority. Currently, the authorities have stepped in to investigate and clarify the incident.
Previously, as reported by Lao Dong Newspaper, on the morning of September 26, after breakfast at school, 40 students showed symptoms of nausea and abdominal pain and were taken to the emergency room. Up to now, their health has stabilized.
The Pasteur Nha Trang Institute concluded: of the 4 tested food samples, 1 was positive for Bacillus cereus bacteria, a type of bacteria that often exists in soil, dust, and water, which can cause poisoning when cooked food is left at room temperature for a long time.
