'Do not eat canned food with swollen shells to prevent poisoning'

The Food Safety Department, Ministry of Health , recommends that people do not eat canned food that is swollen, flattened, deformed, rusty, or has an unusual smell, taste, or color to prevent botulinum toxin infection.

On the afternoon of May 25, the recommendation was issued by the Food Safety Department in the context of the recent increase in botulinum poisoning cases, with one person dying before receiving the antidote. In fact, since March, these recommendations have been mentioned by doctors after many people in Quang Nam suffered botulinum poisoning from eating pickled carp.

The Food Safety Department recommends being cautious with traditional or local foods, and taking measures to ensure safety in processing and preservation. People are advised not to use foods of unknown origin. Do not eat canned foods that have expired, have swollen, flattened, deformed, rusted, are no longer intact, or have unusual odors or colors. Do not seal food yourself and leave it for a long time in unfrozen conditions.

Production facilities must use safe materials, ensure hygiene, safety and sterilization when processing canned foods.

The Ho Chi Minh City Food Safety Management Board inspects establishments that sell and produce unsafe ham and sausages; and establishments that sell and produce street food; and suspends operations if they cause or pose a risk of causing poisoning.

When poisoned, patients need emergency care and timely treatment. Hospitals prepare treatment regimens and personnel to reduce the consequences on people's health.

Botulinum toxin antitoxin (BAT - Botulism Antitoxin Heptavalent), priced at 8,000 USD/bottle, is very rare in Vietnam. Photo: Provided by the hospital — Botulinum toxin antitoxin (BAT - Botulism Antitoxin Heptavalent), priced at 8,000 USD/bottle, is very rare in Vietnam. Photo: *Provided by the hospital*

From May 13th to now, 5 people in Thu Duc City have been poisoned by botulinum due to eating street-sold pork sausage and one person is suspected of eating fish sauce. Among them, three children aged 10-14 years old were given antidotes and treated at Children's Hospital 2. Their condition is improving, and one child is about to be discharged. The remaining three cases only received supportive treatment because the whole country ran out of BAT antidotes. However, one patient (who ate fish sauce) passed away before receiving one of the 6 antidotes donated by WHO (World Health Organization). Two patients at Cho Ray Hospital also did not have time to use the medicine because the "golden" time had passed.

On the evening of May 25, two samples of pork sausage from the patient's home and the production facility in Thu Duc City tested negative for botulinum toxin, but authorities have yet to determine the cause of the poisoning.

A representative of the Thu Duc City Health Department said they are considering deciding on the level of fine for this pork roll production facility. The reason is that the facility has been operating for nearly two months without a license or signboard.

Botulinum is a very strong neurotoxin, produced by anaerobic bacteria - bacteria that prefer closed environments such as canned foods, or food environments that do not meet the standards to inhibit bacterial growth.

Symptoms of poisoning include abdominal pain, muscle pain, fatigue, blurred or double vision, dry mouth, difficulty speaking, difficulty swallowing, drooping eyelids, and general muscle weakness. Finally, the patient has difficulty breathing or cannot breathe due to paralysis of the respiratory muscles. These signs appear slowly or quickly depending on the amount of botulinum ingested.

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