"Unmasking" the "dirty" bean sprout line: "Hugging" the whole Bach Hoa Xanh, cancer is imminent?

The discovery of bean sprout production facilities using the chemical 6-Benzylaminopurine in Quang Ngai and Dak Lak is attracting the attention of the public. These incidents not only cause confusion about food quality and safety and hygiene in the context of the upcoming Lunar New Year 2025.

On December 30, 2024, the Quang Ngai City Police announced the discovery of a bean sprout production facility in Nghia Chanh ward, owned by Ms. D.T.T. (born in 1978), using the chemical 6-Benzylaminopurine - a cell growth stimulant, not allowed to be used in food production.

Specifically, the functional forces discovered that this facility prepared banned chemicals into the water soaked in bean sprouts, in order to grow quickly and improve the form of the product. After the inspection, the Quang Ngai City Police collected bean sprout samples to analyze and handle food safety violations in accordance with the law. This is one of the cases in the peak campaign to inspect and suppress violations before, during and after the Lunar New Year 2025.

At the same time, in Dak Lak, the Provincial Police discovered a more serious case when a group of subjects used 6-Benzylaminopurine to produce large-scale bean sprouts. After a period of monitoring the groups "Southern Bean Sprout Association" and "Bean Sprout Making Association" online, the police simultaneously inspected 6 production facilities in Buon Ma Thuot city and found that nearly 20.4 tons of bean sprouts had been soaked in banned chemicals.

This chemical is used to shorten bean sprout roots, concentrate nutrients on the stem, help increase weight and create large, beautiful sprouts that pose many potential risks to consumers' health. Authorities estimate that in 2024, this group of subjects has sold to the market nearly 3,000 tons of bean sprouts composting prohibited substances, with a total estimated value of up to 18.7 billion VND. Notably, one of these production facilities also provides bean sprouts for the Bach Hoa Xanh supermarket system, with an output of up to 350-400kg per day.

6-Benzylaminopurine, a cytokinin (a cell growth stimulant), if consumed or exposed for a long time, can cause serious health problems, such as mild pregnancy, hydrocephalus, birth defects, and affect children's development. This chemical not only causes direct harm when ingested, but can also accumulate in the body through contact with the skin or inhalation of toxic vapors. According to health experts, using this chemical in food is a very dangerous behavior and needs to be strictly handled.

In the context of the increasingly strong development of food services, especially on the occasion of the Lunar New Year, the use of banned substances in food production has become even more worrying. Bean sprouts, a popular dish in Vietnamese family meals, now pose a potential risk to consumers' health.

Functional forces also recommend that consumers need to be cautious when choosing food, especially items of unknown origin or lack of quality information. It should be noted that products with labels such as "no chemicals" and "no stimulants" are sometimes just advertising tricks to deceive consumers.

The Quang Ngai City Police said that in the coming time, the unit will continue to strengthen the inspection and handling of violations of food hygiene and safety, especially during the upcoming Lunar New Year, when the demand for food consumption increases. The police force affirmed that it will resolutely handle violating food production establishments, protect the rights and health of consumers.

With the ongoing incidents in Quang Ngai and Dak Lak, it is clear that food safety has become a big challenge. Protecting public health during festive occasions, especially the Lunar New Year, requires the strong and serious participation of both authorities and consumers. Being vigilant and choosing safe food is everyone's responsibility, to avoid unnecessary dangers.

Chemically Incubated Bean Sprouts: Many Loopholes Discovered, More 'Dirty' Bean Sprouts Establishments Appear Hoa Chỉ11:58:51 31/12/2024Authorities have spoken out and stated that there are many loopholes in the dirty bean sprouts case. Specifically, the dirty food production facilities have food safety certificates and have not been closely monitored.