Store of Thai-owned meat producer C.P. Vietnam under investigation over food safety allegations

Ngo Thai Chan, director of the Soc Trang Department of Agriculture and Environment, said on Saturday that an interagency inspection team concluded a late-night examination at CPV's Fresh Shop in My Xuyen District at 10:00 pm on Friday.

Initial findings showed the store met basic food safety requirements, including documented meat origins, proper veterinary stamps, and valid import-export certificates. 

However, the store's food safety certification had expired over two months ago due to a change in ownership. 

The business also failed to present the original business registration and food safety training documents for the owner and staff.

"The inspection team sealed the site and ordered the store to submit all required documents within five days," Chan said.

"The case will proceed in line with legal regulations," he continued, adding that three additional Fresh Shop outlets would be inspected on Saturday.

The urgent inspection followed a directive from provincial chairman Tran Van Lau after complaints about hygiene issues involving CPV's meat products. 

Lau instructed the agriculture department and related agencies to conduct a sudden inspection and address any violations.

The provincial task force—comprising police, market inspectors, and officials from the agriculture department—inspected the Fresh Shop location operated by CPV on Trieu Nuong Street in My Xuyen District.

C.P. Vietnam, a subsidiary of Thailand's Charoen Pokphand Group (CP Group), is one of Vietnam's leading agri-food companies, with operations spanning animal feed production, livestock farming, and processed food manufacturing. 

The company plays a major role in Vietnam's food supply chain and operates a national network of retail outlets under the Fresh Shop brand.

Separately, CPV has requested local authorities take action against individuals allegedly spreading false information online.

On Saturday morning, a provincial official confirmed receiving a formal complaint from the company accusing a man identified as L.Q.N. of publishing defamatory content on Facebook and Zalo.

According to CPV, the individual used online platforms under the names "Jony Lieu" and "Ngan Tech" to share false and misleading information about the company's operations. 

The posts accused the firm of selling diseased pork and chicken at its Fresh Shop outlets, potentially harming public health.

The company denied the allegations and called on authorities to remove the content and take legal action to restore its reputation.

The social media posts, which included photos of allegedly diseased meat and screenshots of internal messages, went viral in recent days and sparked public concern.

In an interview with Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Friday, the man behind the posts confirmed his identity and the content of his complaint, claiming he previously worked in CPV's pork processing unit and witnessed improper practices.

By 4:00 pm local time on Friday, the man said he was meeting with police investigators.

Provincial chairman Lau confirmed that police have been instructed to verify the claims.