Ministry of Health requests clarification on the cause of more than 220 workers in Vinh Long being hospitalized after meals

On August 14, the Department of Food Safety (Ministry of Health) directed the health sector of Vinh Long province to investigate and clarify the cause and temporarily suspend the meal supplier, which occurred at Bo Hsing Company Limited, causing more than 220 workers to be hospitalized for treatment.

Previously, at noon on August 12, the Vinh Long Provincial Labor Federation coordinated with Bo Hsing Company Limited (Hoa Phu Industrial Park, Hoa Phu Commune, Long Ho District, Vinh Long Province) to organize the "Union Meal" program for 1,500 workers. The Union Meal had an additional meal value of VND50,000 compared to the daily meals provided by the company. However, after the meal, many workers had to go to the emergency room with symptoms such as: abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea...

In response to the above incident, the Food Safety Department requested the Vinh Long Provincial Department of Health to direct hospitals with patients being treated to focus resources on actively treating patients, not to affect their health and lives; in case of necessity, they can request support for professional consultation with higher-level hospitals.

At the same time, the Department of Health of Vinh Long province is requested to investigate and determine the cause of the suspected poisoning according to regulations, trace the origin of the food, take food samples and specimens for testing to find the cause; temporarily suspend the operation of the unit providing the meal suspected of causing the poisoning; detect and strictly handle violations of food safety regulations (if any) and publicize the results to promptly warn the community.

The Ministry of Health also requested localities to increase propaganda and guidance for collective kitchens and food service establishments to ensure hygiene and food safety conditions, strictly implement the management of food ingredients' origin, three-step food inspection, food sample storage and hygiene in processing stages.

On the same day, Vice Chairwoman of Vinh Long Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Thi Quyen Thanh, along with leaders of departments, branches and the company, visited and encouraged workers being treated at medical facilities. Accordingly, the delegation visited and encouraged workers to rest assured during treatment and recover soon to continue working at the company. Each worker received a support of one million VND, of which the company supported 500,000 VND and the Vinh Long Provincial Labor Federation supported 500,000 VND.

On the side of Bo Hsing Company Limited, the leader of this unit expressed regret for the incident. At the same time, he said that the company is ready to cooperate with the Trade Union and the functional agencies of Vinh Long province to actively support the workers. The company committed to paying the workers full salary during the treatment period and coordinating with the insurance to cover 100% of the treatment costs for the workers to recover and return to work soon.

TUAN QUANG