Information from the Food Safety Department ( Ministry of Health ) indicates that the agency has sent a document to the Son La Provincial Department of Health regarding the investigation and handling of food poisoning in Moc Chau ward, Son La province.
The Food Safety Department received information that in Chieng Pan village, Moc Chau ward, Son La province, 3 out of 10 people are suspected of food poisoning after attending a family lunch on March 4, 2026, with severe symptoms such as generalized convulsions and coma. The patients are currently being treated at Bach Mai Hospital.
In light of the above situation, the Food Safety Department requests the Son La Provincial Department of Health to direct relevant units to urgently implement several measures, including proactively contacting and coordinating with hospitals where patients are being treated, and focusing resources on actively treating food poisoning patients to prevent adverse effects on their health and lives.
Urgently contact those who participated in the meal to monitor their health, and request their cooperation with relevant authorities in the investigation process, including taking food samples to identify the suspected foodborne illness; trace the origin of the foodborne illness to identify and strictly handle any violations of food safety regulations (if any).
The Food Safety Department also requested that localities strengthen the dissemination and guidance of knowledge on ensuring food safety in production, business, and consumption, especially measures for selecting, processing, and preserving traditional foods and foods according to local customs; recommending the use of only food and ingredients with clear origins and sources, and avoiding the use of expired food or food showing unusual signs.
Strictly implement the directives in Prime Minister's Directive No. 38/CT-TTg dated October 11, 2024, on strengthening the prevention of food poisoning; Ministry of Health's Official Letter No. 2633/BYT-ATPP dated April 30, 2025, on strengthening food safety, preventing counterfeit food and food poisoning; Ministry of Health's Official Letter No. 656/BYT-ATTP dated February 1, 2026, on strengthening the prevention of food poisoning; and Ministry of Health's Official Letter No. 848/BYT-ATTP dated February 9, 2026, on ensuring food safety in street food businesses.
At the same time, closely monitor the developments of the poisoning incident, update information daily; proactively communicate information about the incident and promptly publicize the results of the food poisoning investigation to warn the community of the risks; and report the investigation results to the Food Safety Department as required.
