Ministry of Health: Strengthening the prevention of botulinum poisoning

The Ministry of Health recommends that the authorities immediately suspend the operations of the above-mentioned establishments that caused the poisoning, small-scale production establishments, and businesses in the area that do not meet the conditions.

BAT antidote is used to treat Botulinum poisoning. (Photo: VNA)

On May 25, according to information from the Food Safety Department (Ministry of Health ), this unit sent a document to the Ho Chi Minh City Food Safety Management Board regarding the strengthening of food poisoning surveillance related to recent food poisoning cases caused by the toxin clostridium botulinum that occurred in Thu Duc city.

The Food Safety Department requested the Ho Chi Minh City Food Safety Management Board to continue to coordinate with hospitals (Children's Hospital 2, Ho Chi Minh City, Gia Dinh People's Hospital, Cho Ray Hospital) to closely monitor the condition of patients being treated at the hospitals.

Relevant units shall organize investigations and verify the origin of food and the cause of the poisoning to take measures to prevent similar poisoning cases from occurring; focus on inspecting, checking, and monitoring food safety at production facilities, promptly preventing unsafe ham and sausage production and trading establishments that pose a risk of Clostridium botulinum infection.

Authorities need to immediately suspend the operations of the above-mentioned establishments that caused the poisoning, as well as small-scale production establishments and businesses in the area that do not ensure food safety conditions and pose a risk of causing poisoning.

In particular, increase information and education for people not to use ham products of unknown origin circulating in the market; increase propaganda and guidance for small-scale production facilities and business households on hygiene measures, product packaging, and limit the use of vacuum bagging equipment to create an anaerobic environment favorable for the development of Clostridium botulinum.

The Food Safety Department also requested the health departments of provinces/cities and food safety management boards of some provinces/cities to direct medical units in the area to prepare plans, standing forces, vehicles, supplies, and chemicals to promptly handle and minimize the impact when poisoning occurs./.

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/bo-y-te-tang-cuong-cong-tac-phong-chong-ngo-doc-do-botulinum-3241942.html