Ho Chi Minh City clarifies food poisoning investigation protocols

Ho Chi Minh City has issued a new regulation to clarify the coordination and responsibilities for investigating food poisoning incidents within the city.

The Ho Chi Minh City Food Safety Department will lead investigations for incidents occurring in industrial zones, export processing zones, educational institutions from high school level and above, cases involving multiple wards or communes, or incidents resulting in death. For other local incidents, the relevant Ward or Commune People's Committee will serve as the lead investigative body.

The regulation also defines the role of the health sector, tasking the Department of Health with directing medical facilities to provide timely emergency treatment, collect biological samples, and implement professional measures to limit health risks. In complex cases, the Ho Chi Minh City Center for Disease Control will coordinate to rule out other possibilities such as infectious diseases or chemical poisoning.