66 people suspected of poisoning after eating Ngoc Ha bread in Ho Chi Minh City

On December 22, Ba Ria General Hospital received dozens of people suspected of poisoning after eating bread, of which many severe cases with symptoms of vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea are being treated.

Ms. Duong Thi Khanh, a patient, said that on the evening of December 19, on the way from Dong Nai to her home in Dat Do commune, she stopped at Ngoc Ha bread shop to buy 6 loaves for 6 family members to eat. The next morning, all 6 people vomited, had severe stomach pain, and had a fever and had to be hospitalized in the emergency room. This morning, she and her son still had stomach pain and diarrhea.

Also bought bread for breakfast on December 19, Ms. Le Thi Thao Vy in Chau Pha commune, the same evening had stomach pain, vomiting, and fever. After self-medication and no improvement, she was admitted to the emergency room.

According to Phu My Ward People’s Committee, around 3:00 p.m. yesterday, they received information from a clinic about the first cases hospitalized due to food poisoning. Conducting a review, local authorities recorded from December 19 to 21, a total of 66 hospitalizations, of which 23 cases were recorded at Ba Ria General Hospital, 43 cases were recorded at Phu My Medical Center and clinics in the area. After treatment, the patients’ health has stabilized and some have been discharged from the hospital. The patient’s common point is that symptoms appeared after eating bread purchased at Ngoc Ha store.

Inspection authorities noted that Ngoc Ha bread has two business locations at 964 Doc Lap and Group 5, Phuoc Lap street, selling on average about 800 loaves per day. However, this facility does not have a certificate of food safety qualifications, no confirmation of food safety training or health examination certificates for the owner and employees. Many ingredients such as bread, vegetables, cucumbers… do not have sales contracts.

These bakeries are currently closed.

Phu My Ward People’s Committee said it requested the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Food Safety to support the investigation and take food samples for testing to clarify the cause.

In the past month and a half, there have been many cases of food poisoning after eating bread. In early November, more than 300 people in Ho Chi Minh City were poisoned after eating bread purchased at a chain of bakeries in Go Vap and Binh Thanh, due to pate contaminated with Salmonella. In mid-December, more than 200 people in Quang Ngai were poisoned after eating bread sold at a famous local bakery chain, the cause being salmon rolls and vegetables contaminated with Salmonella.

Salmonella bacteria are a common cause of food poisoning with gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting… Bacteria are found in the natural environment, animal intestines, and are transmitted through unprocessed food or unsanitary utensils.