Vietnam

More than 500 people have been admitted to hospital with alleged food poisoning after eating banh mi sandwiches from a shop in southern Vietnam. Twelve of those admitted, including two boys aged between six and seven years, are in critical condition.

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Authorities shut down Dong Nai bakery which was linked to mass food poisoning, suspecting spoiled ingredients due to the extreme weather conditions.

Initial inspections have found hygiene violations.

Bánh mì is a traditional Vietnamese sandwich consisting of a French-style baguette stuffed with cold meats, pate and vegetables.

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Long Khanh town authorities on Monday (May 6) confirmed that at least 560 people had fallen ill after consuming the banh mi sandwiches from Bang bakery in Long Khanh city on 30 April.

Around 200 people had been discharged since then.

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According to local authorities, the bakery, based on Tran Quang Dieu Street, sells about 1,100 of the sandwiches every day. 

Meanwhile, the number of cases of suspected food poisoning has gradually risen each day, say local hospitals.

The symptoms included diarrhoea, vomiting, fever and severe abdominal pains.

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Vietnamese newspaper Health and Life spoke to one woman whose three children were being treated at the intensive care unit at Dong Nai Children's Hospital.

Tran Ngoc Phuong said she bought three sandwiches for her children with extra meat.

Within 24 hours, they all began showing symptoms of food poisoning.

Health officials suspect E. coli as the culprit behind the banh mi illnesses.

Blood tests from critically ill patients revealed the presence of E. coli bacteria, commonly found in contaminated meat, cheese, and produce.

The local health workers are also testing samples of the banh mi sandwiches for further confirmation.

The police said they have launched an investigation.

(With inputs from agencies)