Vietnam 'banh mi' shop fined, suspended after food poisoning outbreak sickens 175

The Quang Ngai provincial administration imposed the penalty on Thursday on Nguyen Thi Thuy, 58, owner of Ba Duoc banh mi shop in Cam Thanh Ward.

Authorities found that the shop had committed two food safety violations: failing to properly cover food to protect it from dust, insects, and pests, and selling contaminated food that caused poisoning affecting at least five people.

In addition to the fine, the shop was ordered to suspend all food production, preparation, and sales for four months.

The outbreak began on October 9, when customers developed abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and fever after eating banh mi from the shop on Duy Tan Street.

By October 16, a total of 175 people had been hospitalized.

Laboratory tests conducted by the Nha Trang Pasteur Institute found that 12 of 13 food samples collected from the shop tested positive for Salmonella bacteria.

Some samples also contained E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus.

Another 12 hospitalized in suspected 'banh mi' poisoning outbreak

Meanwhile, Quang Ngai health authorities reported that another 12 people had been hospitalized with suspected food poisoning after eating banh mi purchased from three shops in Dong Son and Tinh Khe Communes.

Ten patients were being treated at Quang Ngai General Hospital and two at the provincial Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital.

The first patient sought medical attention early on November 3 with fever, severe abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Four others in Dong Son Commune later reported similar symptoms.

Preliminary investigations found that the three shops, despite operating at different locations, obtained their sauces and butter from the same supplier in Tinh Khe Commune.

Authorities have collected food samples for testing, while the cause of the latest suspected outbreak remains under investigation.

The two incidents are among at least four confirmed or suspected banh mi-related food poisoning outbreaks recorded in Quang Ngai since December 2025.

In March 2026, 19 people were suspected of food poisoning after eating banh mi in Tinh Khe Commune.

Earlier, in December 2025, an outbreak linked to Hong Van banh mi affected 203 people.

Together with the 175 cases linked to Ba Duoc and the latest 12 suspected cases, the four incidents have affected 409 people.

Health authorities are continuing to investigate the latest cases and inspect food suppliers to determine the source of contamination.