The Ministry of Health has received information about a suspected food poisoning incident at Lao Cai College (Lao Cai province), in which about 49 students showed symptoms of stomachache, nausea and diarrhea after having dinner at the school canteen.
Faced with the above situation, the Food Safety Department has issued an official dispatch requesting the Lao Cai Provincial Department of Health to urgently implement:
Temporarily suspend the operation of the school canteen - where food poisoning is suspected. Organize an investigation and trace the origin of food to clearly identify the source of raw materials and food for the processing facility suspected of causing poisoning; take food samples and specimens for testing to find the cause; Detect and strictly handle violations of food safety regulations (if any) and publicize the results to promptly warn the community.
Strengthen propaganda and guidance for collective kitchens and food service establishments to ensure hygiene and food safety conditions, strictly implement management of food ingredients' origin, three-step food inspection, food sample storage and hygiene in processing stages.
Report results to the Food Safety Department as prescribed.
Previously, from the afternoon of October 9, some students eating at the kitchen of campus 1 showed signs of digestive disorders. After receiving the information, the Principal of Lao Cai College directed the temporary suspension of cooking activities at the kitchen of campus 1 from October 10 until there is an official conclusion from the authorities.
It is known that the kitchen service at Lao Cai College 1 has been operating since August 2023. On average, for breakfast, lunch, and dinner on weekdays, the facility provides about 100 meals for students.
