Ho Chi Minh City police bust operation soaking 3,000 tonnes of snail meat in chemicals

Investigators on Tuesday announced the arrest and detention of 47-year-old Huynh Van Truong, from Can Tho City, southern Vietnam, who is being prosecuted for violating food safety regulations.

The crackdown on this large-scale industrial chemical-soaked snail processing and distribution ring is part of a peak campaign against crime and to ensure food safety during the Lunar New Year holiday, due in mid-February.

Earlier, the economic police inspected a food processing facility with no signage at No. 60 Rach Cat Ben Luc Street, Binh Dong Ward.

At the time of inspection, officers discovered and seized more than three metric tons of processed apple snail meat, all soaked in a solution containing sodium silicate, commonly known as liquid glass.

Expanding the inspection, authorities seized an additional 1,575 kilograms of sodium silicate hidden at the site for further use.

Forensic analysis confirmed that all snail meat samples contained sodium silicate, an industrial chemical used in construction and cement production and strictly prohibited for use in food processing.

This substance is highly alkaline and can cause digestive tract damage, skin and eye irritation, and poses serious potential risks to consumer health.

During questioning, Truong admitted to all violations.

Investigators determined that since 2021, his facility had soaked snail meat in sodium silicate in order to make the snails appear crisp, chewy, and glossy.

Approximately 500 metric tons of sodium silicate were used to process about 3,000 metric tons of snail meat, which was then distributed to the market over several years, generating illegal profits of billions of dong. [VND1 billion = US$38,300)

The conduct demonstrates blatant disregard for the law and for public health and safety.

Police are expanding the investigation to identify other individuals and organizations involved in distributing the contaminated snails and supplying the illegal chemicals.

The Ho Chi Minh City police urged the public to report any suspected food safety violations to local authorities.