Snail buffet incident, 7 people hospitalized: Many violations discovered

(Dan Tri) - The inspection team of the Phu Yen Province Department of Health discovered that the snail buffet restaurant involved in the case of 7 people being hospitalized had many violations of regulations on hygiene and food safety.

On June 5, the Phu Yen Provincial Department of Health reported on the inspection of compliance with food safety regulations at P.D.V. III restaurant (Ward 7, Tuy Hoa City). This restaurant sold snail buffets to many people. After eating snails, 7 people had to be hospitalized for treatment.

Through inspection, it was noted that P.D.V. III restaurant had violations and problems such as not being able to present health certificates of the owner and employees directly processing food; certificates of food safety knowledge of the owner and processing employees; invoices, and origin of food ingredients.

P.D.V. III restaurant sells snail buffet meals (Photo: Bich Tran).

In addition, the processing, trading and storage areas are invaded by insects and harmful animals (flies); cross-contamination between unprocessed and processed foods is not prevented in the kitchen layout; the legal regulations on the 3-step food inspection regime are not implemented properly; and the regulations on food sample storage are not followed properly.

The inspection team also noted that the sewers and drainage ditches in the kitchen area were stagnant; there were no tools to collect and contain garbage and waste to ensure hygiene.

The inspection team of the Phu Yen Provincial Department of Health has requested the facility to temporarily suspend operations until the above-mentioned shortcomings and limitations are overcome.

In addition, the Phu Yen Provincial Department of Health is coordinating with relevant agencies to investigate, trace the origin of suspected food, and verify the cause of the food poisoning incident.

A patient is being treated at the hospital after eating a snail buffet at P.D.V. III restaurant (Photo: Bich Tran).

Previously, on June 3, 7 people in Dong Hoa town, Phu Yen province were hospitalized with vomiting, stomachache, diarrhea, and fainting. These people all had one thing in common: they had eaten snail buffet at P.D.V. III restaurant.

According to the patients, they learned about the snail restaurant through review clips of some TikTokers in Phu Yen province.

After receiving information about the incident, the Food Safety Department ( Ministry of Health ) requested the Phu Yen Provincial Department of Health to urgently direct medical facilities to focus resources on treating food poisoning patients, so as not to affect their health and lives.

At the same time, it is recommended that authorities investigate, trace the origin of the food poisoning, take food samples and specimens to find the cause.

On June 5, a representative of Dong Hoa Town Medical Center said that the health of the 7 patients is currently stable.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/suc-khoe/vu-an-buffet-oc-7-nguoi-nhap-vien-phat-hien-nhieu-vi-pham-20250605154204484.htm