Couple arrested for allegedly producing 2,800 tonnes of contaminated fresh noodles in Ho Chi Minh City

Investigators on Sunday said Nguyen Thi My Phung and her husband Pham Tuan Thanh, both aged 44 and residing in Tan Tao Ward, were detained and charged with violating food safety regulations after authorities uncovered their long-running operation.

During a police raid on April 16, officers seized nearly 700 kilograms of fresh noodles; 10.2 kilograms of borax; 27 plastic cans of sodium silicate, commonly known as ‘liquid glass,’ an industrial chemical; 10 liters of yellow liquid; and various production tools.

According to police, the couple had been manufacturing noodles since 2014, mixing in borax and sodium silicate, which are prohibited in food due to their toxic effects, to improve texture, prevent breakage, and extend shelf life from several hours to up to two days.

Authorities estimate that over 2,800 metric tons of contaminated noodles have been produced and sold since 2014.

Police are expanding the investigation to identify distributors and other individuals involved in selling the products.