Cambodia News, Battambang: Fifty-two monks and Buddhists who vomited and had diarrhea are suspected of being poisoned by vegetables treated with pesticides, and were rushed to hospital. The case of food poisoning occurred at 10:30 on May 30, 2022 at Wat Samrong Leu in Chhnal Moan commune, Koas Kralor district, Battambang province.

Colonel Pang Heang, Police Inspector of Koas Kralor District, confirmed that 4 monks and 48 ​​men and women at the foot of the pagoda were suffering from nausea and diarrhea.

According to the explanation from the patients who are being treated in the referral hospital, it is said that on the day of the incident, it was a holy day so the Buddhists prepared food to give to the monks to be delicious and unique, but unfortunately, after the monks and people have eaten, only about 4-10 minutes later, everyone started to feel nauseous and and had diarrhea constantly. The authorities then rushed to send ambulances and vehicles to take everyone to be treated at Maung Russey District Referral Hospital and monitored for symptoms.


According to preliminary confirmation from the medical team, this case may be caused by raw vegetables that had been sprayed [with pesticides], but not washed. The technical and forensic office of the Provincial Police Commission this morning, May 31, went to the scene to research and study more about the problem to find out what exactly caused it.

Or it could be the fish sauce...

Cambodia News, (Battambang Province): General Officers of the Department of A. B. B. (consumer protection)Battambang province and Banteay Meanchey province are cooperating to investigate a case of mass food poisoning in Kas Krol district, Battambang province.

Yesterday authorities took a mobile food laboratory vehicle to investigate the food poisoning case that occurred in Samrong Leu Pagoda, Chnal Man Commune, Kas Krol District, Battambang Province.

Referring to a preliminary food laboratory analysis of food samples cooked and eaten by monks and Buddhists at the pagoda, it was revealed that the sample of fish sauce (Banghoy fish sauce) was found positive for Salicylic Acid.
Following the above results, the investigation officer will continue further analyzing and research procedures related to the presence of Salicylic Acid in the fish sauce.