The Food Safety Department (Ministry of Health) said that on November 10, in Dong Hung Thuan Ward (Ho Chi Minh City), a number of cases of suspected food poisoning after meals in the collective kitchen of a company were recorded. The patients showed symptoms of vomiting, fatigue, abdominal pain and were taken to the nearest medical facility for emergency treatment.
After lunch, 50 people with symptoms of nausea, abdominal pain, red skin rash, itchy face... were taken to medical units: Trung My Tay General Hospital (receiving the most 27 people), Tan Phu Regional Hospital, Tan Binh Regional Hospital, Thanh Cong General Hospital.
By the morning of November 11, the number of people taken to medical units had been discharged from the hospital, and there was another case with a healthy pregnancy, the doctor suggested continuing to monitor.
On November 11, the Food Safety Department sent a document to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Food Safety to investigate and handle the suspected food poisoning case.
According to the document signed by Dr. Chu Quoc Thinh - Acting Director of the Department of Food Safety, the Ministry of Health has received information about the incident that occurred in Dong Hung Thuan ward. Many people after eating at the collective kitchen of a local company have shown unusual symptoms such as vomiting, fatigue, and dizziness.
In this situation, the Food Safety Department requested the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Food Safety to urgently deploy response measures: Direct hospitals receiving patients suspected of being poisoned to focus resources, actively treat, ensure the health and lives of patients.
Investigate, trace the origin of food, identify the ingredient supplier, collect food and disease samples for testing to find the cause.
Strictly handle violations of food safety regulations (if any), and publicize the investigation results to warn the community.
The Food Safety Department also requested the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Food Safety to strengthen propaganda and instruct food service establishments to comply with regulations on food safety. Establishments must control the origin and source of food ingredients; Ensure hygienic conditions in the processing, processing, and transportation stages; Conduct three-step food inspection and store food samples in accordance with regulations.
At the same time, it is necessary to propagate to people to choose safe food, especially when using collective catering services or attending crowded events.
The Food Safety Department recommends that the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Food Safety closely monitor the developments of the incident, conduct a quick report, and proactively provide information to people to avoid confusion.
When the investigation results are available, the Department needs to publicize the cause and handling measures to widely warn, and at the same time report to the Department of Food Safety according to regulations.
The Food Safety Department emphasized that collective food poisoning cases always have a great risk of affecting public health, so localities need to strengthen inspection, supervision and strict handling of violating establishments, ensuring food safety for people and workers.
Previously, on November 7, another poisoning incident occurred in Hanh Thong ward, Ho Chi Minh City, recording a number of cases that had to be hospitalized with symptoms of abdominal pain, diarrhea, high fever, suspected of food poisoning after eating bread at a food service establishment in the area.
Immediately after receiving the information, the Food Safety Department coordinated with the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Food Safety to direct the implementation of emergency measures to protect people's health and prevent similar incidents from occurring.
