Ho Chi Minh City ‘banh mi’ shop fined $570 after 125 customers fall ill

The People’s Committee of Phu My Ward on Monday said it had issued the fine against L.C.T., owner of N.H. ‘banh mi’ shop, for operating a food service business without a valid certificate of eligibility for food safety.

According to official reports, a total of 125 customers who ate ‘banh mi’ from the N.H. shop experienced symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea, severe abdominal pain, and headaches.

All affected individuals were required to undergo medical monitoring and treatment at healthcare facilities.

Following the incident, the ward administration, in coordination with the city’s Food Safety Department, a regional medical center, and police officers, collected nine food samples from the N.H. ‘banh mi’ shop for laboratory testing.

Local authorities ordered the shop to temporarily suspend operations pending the outcome of the investigation by the Food Safety Department, while requiring the owner to fully cooperate with the inspection process.

During administrative checks, the business was able to present health examination records, certificates confirming food safety training for all five employees, and contracts for food ingredient supplies.

However, the shop lacked a mandatory certificate of eligibility for food safety conditions, a key legal requirement for food service establishments, prompting the ward administration to impose the VND15-million fine.

Authorities confirmed that the shop owner has complied with the decision and paid the fine in accordance with regulations.

Local officials said they are currently awaiting laboratory test results of the food samples from the Food Safety Department to determine the exact cause of the mass illness.

The incident first emerged on December 19 last year, when dozens of people sought medical treatment after experiencing abdominal pain, nausea, and other symptoms shortly after eating ‘banh mi’ purchased from the N.H. shop.

In the following days, additional patients with similar symptoms were admitted to hospitals.

According to official statistics, all 125 cases received treatment at medical facilities in Ho Chi Minh City and neighboring Dong Nai Province.

The case comes amid many food poisoning incidents linked to ‘banh mi’ in Vietnam.

In early November last year, more than 300 people in Ho Chi Minh City fell ill after eating ‘banh mi’ purchased from Co Bich shops, with the cause identified as Salmonella contamination.

In mid-December, more than 200 people in Quang Ngai Province, central Vietnam were also hospitalized after consuming ‘banh mi’ sold by a local chain, again linked to contaminated pork and vegetables.

Salmonella is a common bacterium responsible for foodborne illness, causing symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting.

It is commonly found in the natural environment and in the intestines of animals, and can be transmitted to humans through improperly handled food or contaminated hands and utensils.