In Dong Nai, Bang bread shop has been operating for over 20 years without any suspected poisoning cases until recently. The staff at the shop buys ingredients from markets and small establishments before preparing them according to their own recipe. They sell more than 1,000 loaves a day.
The owner, Ms. Bang, mentioned that they buy raw materials from markets and acquaintances’ stores, so they do not have receipts. They make homemade pate, pickles, and sauce, and purchase other ingredients like pork sausage, ham, and pork from elsewhere. The cooking process takes place right on the porch, with food being prepared and cooked in various areas around the shop. Due to the large number of customers, they have employees cutting cakes, reducing pate and meats, and collecting money. All sellers wear gloves during the process.
However, after a recent inspection by authorities on April 30th-May 1st of this year it was discovered that over 500 people were poisoned and hospitalized after consuming bread from the shop on those days. The symptoms included abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, and fever with some cases being severe enough to require ventilators and dialysis. As a result of this incident the Dong Nai Department of Health is treating the affected individuals with support from experts sent by Ho Chi Minh City Children’s Hospital 1 while the police are investigating the situation taking samples to determine if there are any criminal signs. If necessary legal action will be taken according to law as well as raising awareness among community members about food safety hygiene practices in establishments like Bang bread shop