Popular Tourist Spot for Koreans... Over 300 Hospitalized After Eating 'This', 2 in Critical Condition

Food Poisoning After Eating Banh Mi at a Restaurant... 11 in Critical Condition
Restaurant Staff Did Not Undergo Health Checkups or Safety Training

Over 500 people suffered from mass food poisoning after eating Vietnamese-style sandwiches called Banh Mi at a restaurant in Vietnam. Among them, 11 are reported to be in critical condition.

On the 4th (local time), local media such as VN Express and Tuoi Tre reported that as of the previous day, 487 patients showing symptoms of food poisoning such as vomiting, diarrhea, high fever, and abdominal pain had received hospital treatment in Dong Nai Province in southern Vietnam since the 30th of last month.

Among them, 321 are currently hospitalized, while the rest have been discharged, but 11 remain in critical condition. Two boys aged 6 and 7 among the critical patients are dependent on ventilators and dialysis.

It was confirmed that those showing symptoms of food poisoning had purchased Banh Mi from one restaurant. The restaurant owner told authorities that about 1,100 Banh Mi sandwiches were sold on the 30th of last month when the patients appeared, and that ingredients were purchased from nearby stores.

Vietnamese sandwich Banh Mi [Image source=Pixabay]

Authorities have collected the Banh Mi products being sold to analyze the cause of the food poisoning, while suspending the restaurant’s operations and investigating compliance with food safety standards. Preliminary investigations revealed that four employees of the restaurant had not undergone the required health checkups or food safety training according to relevant regulations.

Banh Mi is a general term for Vietnamese-style sandwiches made by slicing Vietnamese-style baguettes in half and filling them with vegetables and other ingredients. Although the exact origin is unknown, it is believed to have emerged under the influence of French culinary culture during the French colonial period (1883?1945). It is a representative affordable street food in Vietnam, sold at street stalls or stands.

Meanwhile, when sudden patients occur abroad as in this food poisoning incident, knowing how to use related institutions in advance can be helpful.

Relevant institutions include the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ “Consular Call Center” and the Fire Department’s “Overseas Korean 119 Emergency Medical Consultation Service.” Private organizations such as the “Korean Society of Emergency Medicine Overseas Transfer Research Group” provide specialized medical and transfer services.

Additionally, contacting local embassies and consulates can provide assistance with hospital treatment and interpretation services.