Another suspected food poisoning case at Dong Thap University

According to the report of the Department of Health of Dong Thap province, the incident occurred in the early afternoon of April 6 when a number of students participating in the STEM Festival at Dong Thap University suffered from symptoms of suspected food poisoning and had to be hospitalized at Dong Thap General Hospital. Immediately, the Department of Health directed the Food Safety Department to coordinate with the Cao Lanh City Medical Center to conduct an actual investigation into the above cases of suspected food poisoning.

The investigation results recorded that on April 6, about 3,500 people including students, teachers, and volunteers participating in the STEM Festival at Dong Thap University had lunch from 10:30 to 12:00 with white rice, minced pork and jute soup, braised pork with duck eggs, fried lemongrass salted chicken (provided by a facility in Ward 1, Cao Lanh city) and bottled water (Dowasen 330ml/bottle, Lavie 500ml/bottle and Ramsa 500ml/bottle).

In addition, the Organizing Committee also served drinks including Dutch Lady fresh milk in 180ml/box (expiry date 8.2025) and milk tea brought to the event location by Nguyen Tat Thanh School, processed on-site, and distributed free of charge. The ingredients were used up, product information is unknown; the processed milk tea was boiled, served to students in plastic cups and ice cubes were added. The amount of food used up during the event, the amount served is unknown.

Dong Thap University - where the suspected food poisoning incident took place

At around 1:30 p.m. the same day, some students participating in the event began to have symptoms of abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. By 4 p.m., a total of 33 people had symptoms of abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Of these, 29 people (mostly students from other provinces) were transferred to Dong Thap General Hospital for health monitoring. By 8:30 p.m. the same day, all 29 cases were hospitalized for treatment.

The Medical Center coordinated with the Cao Lanh City Health Department and related sectors to establish an interdisciplinary food safety inspection team to conduct surprise inspections of compliance with legal regulations at locations where suspected food poisoning incidents occurred, and to inspect compliance with food safety regulations at food suppliers registered in Ward 1, Cao Lanh City.

The inspection team took 4 food samples and sent them to the laboratory to analyze the relevant indicators according to regulations. However, Dutch Lady milk and milk tea could not be sampled because they had been used up. In addition, Dong Thap General Hospital took 14 samples for testing to find the cause of suspected food poisoning.

As of 5:00 p.m. on April 7, 16 out of 29 cases of suspected food poisoning have been discharged, 13 cases are still being treated, 4 cases have mild symptoms and are self-monitoring at home, their health is recovering. It is expected that all remaining cases of suspected food poisoning being treated at Dong Thap General Hospital will be discharged today (April 10).

The Food Safety Department requested the Dong Thap Provincial Department of Health to investigate and trace the origin of food to clearly identify the source of raw materials and food for the processing facility suspected of causing poisoning; take food samples and specimens for testing to find the cause.

Temporarily suspend the operation of a food processing facility suspected of causing food poisoning if it is discovered that there is a risk of further food poisoning; strictly handle violations of food safety regulations (if any) and publicize the results to promptly warn the community.

Strengthen management measures, especially in collective kitchens and catering establishments to limit the risk of food poisoning. Strengthen propaganda and guidance for collective kitchens and catering establishments to implement the control of the origin and source of food ingredients, ensure hygiene during the process of preliminary processing, processing, and transportation of food, food safety conditions, three-step food inspection, and food sample storage.

Song Le

Source: https://daibieunhandan.vn/them-mot-vu-nghi-ngo-ngo-doc-thuc-pham-tai-truong-dai-hoc-dong-thap-post409851.html