Chemically Incubated Bean Sprouts: Many Loopholes Discovered, More 'Dirty' Bean Sprouts Establishments Appear

Authorities have spoken out and stated that there are many loopholes in the 'dirty' bean sprouts case. Specifically, the establishments producing 'dirty' food have food safety certificates and have not been closely monitored.

The Dak Lak Provincial People's Committee assigned the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) to preside over and coordinate with the Department of Industry and Trade, Department of Health, Provincial Police, and Buon Ma Thuot City People's Committee to urgently inspect and verify the content reported by the press about bean sprouts infused with banned substances and the responsibilities of each agency.

Mr. Nguyen Hoai Duong, Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Dak Lak province, said that Lam Dao facility was granted a certificate of food safety eligibility, but this was only an initial certificate of eligibility to make bean sprouts, and no one was able to check and supervise on a daily basis.

Mr. Duong said that the Food Safety Law and its guiding documents still have loopholes, are not strict, specific, and not close to reality. In particular, it stipulates the responsibilities of each agency and unit in managing and supervising food processing facilities. In addition, it is necessary to issue food standards for each type when it is put on the market.

A good sign, according to the newspaper Nguoi Lao Dong, at some BHX branches in Buon Ma Thuot City, bean sprouts are no longer sold. However, at Tan Hoa wholesale market (where 6 establishments supply bean sprouts), in recent days, many stalls still sell bean sprouts, but they are selling very slowly. At some restaurants in the area, customers also requested not to sell bean sprouts. Also on the same day, with the reason of coordinating with the authorities to resolve the case of bean sprouts incubated with chemicals sold at BHX establishments, this system refused to provide further information.

Also according to Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper, there are still no results of testing bean sprout samples taken from the Ho Chi Minh City market, after information about the use of chemicals to incubate bean sprouts in Dak Lak. The Ho Chi Minh City Food Safety Inspection Team inspected the central warehouse of BHX in Nha Be District (Ho Chi Minh City), the unit presented full legal documents, and no violations were detected.

Ms. Pham Khanh Phong Lan, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Food Safety, said that supermarket systems must be extremely vigilant, not only reviewing relevant documents but also combining many measures to control the source of goods. In the past, the department has taken food samples on the market to monitor risks but the budget is limited. Therefore, it is encouraged that wholesale markets, supermarkets, and facilities need to proactively join hands to control food.

According to Nguoi Lao Dong newspaper, after inspecting 6 bean sprout suppliers in Buon Ma Thuot City, Dak Lak Provincial Police discovered that in the process of making bean sprouts, the establishments used lime, well water and a colorless liquid, commonly known as "candy" water. According to the police, "candy" water is the active ingredient 6-Benzylaminopurine. At the time of the inspection, the police seized 20,357 kg of bean sprouts that the group had soaked in "candy" water, 37 plastic cans with 135 liters of the above banned active ingredient. These establishments supplied bean sprouts to Bach Hoa Xanh and markets in the province.

Not stopping there, on December 31, the Criminal Investigation Police Team - Quang Ngai City Police announced that it had just discovered and handled a facility supplying bean sprouts using the chemical 6 - Benzylaminopurine in the area. Accordingly, Quang Ngai City Police conducted an inspection and discovered that the bean sprout facility owned by Ms. D.TT (46 years old, residing in Nghia Chanh Ward, Quang Ngai City) used the active ingredient 6-Benzylaminopurine to mix into the bean sprout soaking water. This substance is not on the list of substances permitted for use in food production.

Previously, Quang Ngai City Police had prosecuted 2 cases, 2 defendants were accused of using banned substances to make bean sprouts in the area. Quang Ngai City Police said that in the coming time, they will continue to strengthen inspection and handling of cases of violations of food safety laws, especially establishments making bean sprouts, spring rolls and vermicelli in the area. The police recommended that owners of food supply and trading establishments who violate the law for immediate profit, affecting the health of consumers, will be strictly handled according to regulations.

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