A popular bakery in Hoi An, Banh Mi Phuong is facing legal action after many tourists, including Chinese, fell ill after consuming its famed banh mi sandwiches in September this year.

Certain victims whoexperienced food poisoning after consuming banh mi from Banh Mi Phuong, a renowned bakery in Hoi An, a tourist city in Quang Nam Province, central Vietnam, have filed lawsuits against the bakery.

The mass food poisoning incident happened in September, causing nearly 150 people to be hospitalized.

A leader of the Hoi An City People’s Court told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Monday that the court had received a lawsuit petition from a group of four tourists from Hanoi. They bought banh mi from Banh Mi Phuong on September 11 and got poisoned.

They, who are members in a family, required compensation of over VND100 million ($4,130) each to cover their hospital expenses, airfares, and hotel room costs.

“We let customers and the owner of Banh Mi Phuong contact and negotiate with each other but they have yet to reach a consensus on the compensation," the court’s leader said.

"Given the significant number of individuals affected by the food poisoning and their treatment in various hospitals, the bakery owner may encounter challenges in monitoring the health status of all the victims."

He informed that some people had withdrawn lawsuits after negotiating with the bakery.

All people filing suits against the bakery are from other places. The victims in Hoi An accepted the bakery’s compensation, the court’s leader added.

Another group of Chinese travelers also authorized a lawyer to lodge a lawsuit against the owner of Banh Mi Phuong to the Quang Nam Province People’s Court. 

According to a judge of the Hoi An City People’s Court, many domestic customers had earlier sued the bakery but the court successfully mediated between the two sides.

The customers asked for compensation of over VND19 million ($784) but the amount was later reduced to VND10 million ($413).

Banh mi, a type of Vietnamese baguette typically filled with cold meats, pâté, and vegetables, is a popular dish in Vietnam.

Banh Mi Phuong, one of the most popular banh mi stalls in the country, has been featured on both local and international tourism forums.

Despite its fame, almost 150 people were hospitalized after eating banh mi bought from the bakery.

The number of victims was later logged at 313.

The bakery was then levied a VND96 million ($3,940) fine and a three-month suspension.

Banh Mi Phuong on Sunday initiated a trial sale amid its operational suspension but closed a day later.

Truong Thi Phuong, the owner of Banh Mi Phuong, said she reopened the bakery one day only to check the operation ability of the bakery.

After the suspension, the bakery will reopen officially.

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