Suspected ‘banh mi’ poisoning cases in Vietnam’s Quang Tri rise to 64

The food safety agency said initial reports showed 46 patients in Tan Lap Commune were admitted between Wednesday and Friday with symptoms including high fever, diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.

By 3:00 pm on Friday, Huong Hoa Regional General Hospital had received 18 more patients, raising the total to 64.

Patients range in age from 28 months to 87 years, with most between 11 and 15 years old.

Doctors said all are in stable condition, though many remain weak and feverish.

One person was discharged on Friday, while 63 others remain under treatment.

Authorities in Tan Lap Commune collected food samples for testing and ordered the shop to suspend operations starting Thursday until further notice.

Officials confirmed the patients had eaten banh mi from the shop on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The bakery, registered as a household business, sold about 100 loaves of banh mi daily and supplied 44 loaves to Huong Loc Semi-Boarding Elementary and Middle School for Ethnic Minorities on Wednesday, according to Ho Thuy Vinh, chairwoman of the Tan Lap administration.

The food safety agency instructed provincial authorities to trace the food supply chain, test samples, and enforce penalties for violations. Results will be made public to warn the community.

The agency also urged stronger food safety measures, especially in street food businesses, schools, and industrial kitchens.

Recent food poisoning cases linked to banh mi have raised alarm nationwide.

In late April, 62 people in Nghe An Province, north-central Vietnam were hospitalized after eating banh mi contaminated with Salmonella, a bacteria known to trigger gastrointestinal infections.

Earlier in April, 108 people in Vung Tau, including children and pregnant women, fell ill from banh mi poisoning.

Nationally, Vietnam recorded seven food poisoning incidents between March 18 and April 18, affecting 349 people.

From December 18, 2025 to April 17, 2026, the country recorded 27 outbreaks, with 849 cases and three deaths.

The Ministry of Health is intensifying inspections during the 2026 Food Safety Action Month, targeting street food vendors and collective kitchens, while urging consumers to be cautious in choosing, preparing, and storing food.