A total of 73 people were hospitalized in Long Khanh, a city in Dong Nai Province, southern Vietnam, for treatment on Tuesday and Wednesday due to suspected food poisoning after eating banh mi purchased from a local establishment, the regional hospital reported.

By Wednesday evening, the Long Khanh Regional General Hospital had admitted 73 people who exhibited symptoms of food poisoning after eating banh mi bought from a bakery on Tran Quang Dieu Street.

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

The first victims among them were hospitalized on Tuesday with food poisoning symptoms including fever, abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea, which appeared about four to eight hours after they had the food, stated the hospital. 

All of the 73 patients were initially diagnosed with an intestinal infection and were given prompt treatment and care, doctors said.

“Currently, seven patients have been discharged and the rest will need further treatment until they completely recover,” Phan Van Huyen, the hospital’s director, was quoted by VTC News as saying late on Wednesday evening.

Local health workers have taken samples of banh mi from the seller and sent them to a lab for testing.

They have collaborated with other relevant agencies to conduct a food safety inspection at the bakery and initiate an investigation into the incident.

Local authorities have suspended the operation of the establishment pending a conclusion of the investigation.

Inspectors noted that the establishment has acquired a business registration but has not yet obtained a food safety certificate.

Furthermore, it was discovered that there is a lack of documentation regarding the suppliers of the ingredients used in its banh mi.

In addition, its staff members have yet to undergo any health check-ups or training courses in food safety as required by regulations.

Investigators requested that the establishment correct its non-compliance with laws as soon as possible. 

In recent times, many food poisoning cases due to banh mi have occurred in Vietnam.

The latest case happened in central Quang Ngai Province in March this year, which affected 23 victims and for which the seller was fined VND90 million (US$3,540) and had part of its operation suspended for four months. 

In September last year, a large banh mi poisoning case involving 313 victims was caused by Banh Mi Phuong, a popular bakery in Hoi An, a tourist city in Quang Nam Province, also in the central region.

For this scandal, the establishment was fined VND96 million ($3,780) and had to shut down for three months.

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