On May 28, at noon, MLB Tenergy Limited Liability Company in Yen Thanh District, Nghe An Province, organized lunch for 1,416 employees. The lunch was divided into two shifts: the first shift started at 11 a.m. with 650 people, and the second shift started at 12 p.m. with 766 people. The menu included fried silver pomfret, boiled eggs, steamed squash with beans, pork and pumpkin soup, and mango.
Subsequently, several individuals exhibited symptoms such as headaches, nausea, and high blood pressure. In response, the company promptly notified Bao Son Hospital, the designated periodic health examination hospital for the workers, and relevant authorities. Seventy-three workers displaying symptoms of food poisoning were rushed to Yen Thanh General Hospital and Bao Son General Hospital for emergency treatment.
The patients were diagnosed with food poisoning and received medical attention, including oral rehydration solution, fluid and electrolyte replacement therapy, and careful monitoring.
Upon receiving the information about the suspected food poisoning incident at MLB Tenergy Limited Liability Company, the leaders of the Nghe An Department of Health and related agencies sprang into action. They visited and encouraged the patients, directed the doctors to closely monitor the patients’ health, and prepared emergency rescue plans in case of any unforeseen developments.
After stabilizing the patients’ conditions, the Food Hygiene and Safety Bureau reported to the Nghe An Department of Health and dispatched a team of officers to collaborate with the Yen Thanh District Medical Center and other rescue and treatment units. They conducted an on-site investigation to identify the cause of the incident and submitted an initial investigation report.
The authorities collected nine food samples, including rice, fried silver pomfret, boiled eggs, steamed squash with beans, pork and pumpkin soup, mango, dipping sauce, drinking water, and water used for food preparation. These samples were evaluated and sent for testing to determine the cause of the incident.
The inspection of the company’s food preparation and cooking area revealed several shortcomings, including uncovered garbage bins, an unsanitary sewage system, the presence of insects in the food preparation area, an unsuitable preparation table (with broken tiles), and improper food sample retention practices (incorrect number of samples and an unsanitary storage cabinet).
The Nghe An authorities are actively investigating the cause of the incident, closely monitoring the company’s efforts to rectify the shortcomings in the food preparation area, and enhancing the promotion of food poisoning prevention measures in establishments and businesses across the province.
As of noon on May 29, the health of 72 workers had stabilized, and they were discharged from the hospital. Only one female worker, who is 13 weeks pregnant, remains in the hospital. Although she no longer exhibits symptoms of food poisoning and her health is stable, she has been transferred to the Obstetrics Department for observation due to pregnancy-related considerations.
