On April 26, the Department of Food Safety and Hygiene reported that Staphylococcus aureus bacteria had been found in rolled rice seaweed samples, causing food poisoning for 74 people in Khanh Son district. The incident occurred on April 9 at a peddling establishment in front of a school gate in To Hap town, Khanh Son district.
The test results revealed that the seaweed roll sample was contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcal enterotoxin-producing strains. Other ingredients such as radishes, sausages, seaweed, rice balls, and chili sauce did not show any bacterial contamination. Additionally, seven out of nine specimens taken from the poisoned individuals at the Khanh Son District Medical Center tested positive for Staphylococcus aureus bacteria.
The health sector found that more than 75% of cases had an incubation period of 1-6 hours and experienced symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and nausea. The patients were diagnosed with intestinal and digestive infections as well as bacterial food poisoning. Staphylococcus aureus typically has an incubation period of 1-6 hours and causes symptoms like diarrhea and vomiting. The disease progresses rapidly but patients generally recover within 1-2 days.
On April 9, 74 people were poisoned after consuming rice balls and rolls from street vendors in To Hap town, Khanh Son district. Investigations pointed to Ms. Bui Thi Luong, a street vendor in front of the school as the source of the poisoned food. Ms. Luong admitted to preparing the food daily with her husband who never underwent health checks or food safety training. The ingredients used in their dishes included seaweed, rice crab sticks fried eggs sausages carrots cucumbers pickled radish dipping sauces like chili sauce ketchup mayonnaise sesame oil.
The Food Safety and Hygiene Branch recommended taking administrative action against the facility that caused the poisoning while urging relevant departments to increase awareness about food hygiene safety supervise food establishments strictly deal with those using foods of unknown origin this incident was just one in a series of poisoning cases in Khanh Hoa over the past month highlighting the importance of food safety regulations monitoring
