In Dong Nai, the staff at Bang bread shop prepares over 1,000 loaves of bread a day after buying ingredients from the market and small establishments. The owner, Ms. Bang, explained that they purchase raw materials from markets and acquaintances’ stores, so there are no receipts for the items. Ingredients like homemade pate, pickles, and sauce are prepared in-house, while others like pork sausage and ham are purchased elsewhere and not processed further.
The cooking area at the shop is set up on the porch, with pots used for both cooked and raw foods without being separated. Despite the large number of customers, the shop has been operating for 20 years without any incidents of food poisoning. However, recent inspections by authorities have raised concerns about the food handling practices at the establishment.
There have been reports of food poisoning cases linked to the bread sold at Bang store, resulting in over 500 people being hospitalized with symptoms like abdominal pain, diarrhea, and nausea. Eight cases are being treated at Dong Nai Children’s Hospital, including two children on ventilators and dialysis. The authorities are investigating the origin of the ingredients and food sold at the shop, and testing samples to identify the poisoning agent.
Despite the recent incidents, the bread shop remains popular among customers for its delicious food and affordable prices. The shop sells over 1,000 loaves of bread daily, with long queues forming every day. The Department of Health in Dong Nai is closely monitoring the situation and providing treatment to the affected individuals. Investigations are ongoing to determine if there are any criminal actions involved in the food poisoning cases at Bang bread shop.