On March 24, the Food Safety Department (Ministry of Health) said that it had sent a document to the Quang Ngai Provincial Department of Health requesting urgent investigation and handling of a suspected food poisoning case that occurred in Tinh Khe commune.
According to a report by the Sub-Department of Food Safety and Hygiene of Quang Ngai province, there were 19 cases hospitalized with suspected food poisoning symptoms after eating bread with filling at a business establishment in Tinh Khe commune. Patients are being monitored and treated at medical facilities.
This is the second suspected collective food poisoning case related to banh mi that has occurred in Quang Ngai recently. Previously, in December 2025, the poisoning at Hong Van banh mi shop caused more than 200 people to get sick, the cause was identified as microbial contamination, including Salmonella bacteria.
Faced with the above developments, the Food Safety Department requested the Quang Ngai Provincial Department of Health to direct affiliated units to urgently implement many urgent measures. In which, medical examination and treatment facilities need to focus resources and actively treat patients, not allowing serious developments to occur, affecting life.
Local health sectors are also required to widely inform the community in the area where the incident occurred. People who have eaten bread at related establishments and have signs of suspected poisoning should quickly go to the nearest medical facility for examination and timely treatment.
In addition, functional agencies must organize investigations, trace the origin of food, clearly identify the source of raw materials suspected of causing poisoning; and at the same time take food and specimens for testing to find the exact cause. Food safety violations (if any) will be strictly handled according to regulations.
The Food Safety Department also requested localities to strengthen training and disseminate knowledge about ensuring food safety in street food business to management officials and facility owners. This activity needs to be implemented diversely, based on the guidance of the Ministry of Health to prevent similar incidents.
The Department of Health of Quang Ngai province must also closely monitor the developments of the case, update the situation daily and send detailed reports to the Food Safety Department as prescribed.
Functional agencies recommend that people be cautious when choosing food, especially street food, to limit the risk of food poisoning.
