More than 130 metric tons of pork infected with African swine fever has been found at Ha Long Canned Food Joint Stock Corporation in Hai Phong City, northern Vietnam. Photo: Facebook page of Ha Long Canned Food Joint Stock Corporation
According to the municipal police department, investigators detected a network that purchased pork infected with African swine fever and then ‘disguised’ it as clean raw material for canned meat products.
The contaminated meat was transported to and stored at the warehouse of Ha Long Canned Food Joint Stock Corporation in Hai Phong.
Authorities said more than 130 metric tons of infected pork was gathered at the company’s cold storage facilities.
Of that amount, about two metric tons had already been processed into finished canned meat products before the operation was uncovered.
On September 8 last year, the department’s economic police division discovered two trucks transporting and trading 1,274.5 kilograms of pork that had a foul odor, lacked clear origin documents, and later tested positive for the African swine fever virus.
The meat was being moved from disease-affected areas to food processing companies and facilities in Hai Phong for consumption.
Police in Hai Phong City, northern Vietnam have detained several individuals in a major food safety case involving more than 130 metric tons of pork infected with African swine fever that was stockpiled for canned meat production. Photo: Supplied
During the operation, police detained Le Ba Doanh, 49, and Trinh Ha Viet, 35, both residing in Hai Phong.
Test results confirmed that pork samples taken from the trucks operated by Doanh and Viet, as well as samples from cold storage warehouses belonging to Ha Long Canned Food Joint Stock Corporation, were positive for the African swine fever virus.
Authorities collect pork samples for testing to serve an investigation into a major food safety case involving more than 130 metric tons of pork infected with African swine fever. Photo: Tien Nguyen / Tuoi Tre
Following an emergency search of the company’s headquarters and warehouses, police sealed four cold storage facilities containing more than 130 metric tons of frozen pork.
Law enforcement officers inspect a cold storage warehouse at Ha Long Canned Food Joint Stock Corporation in Hai Phong City, northern Vietnam. Photo: Tien Nguyen / Tuoi Tre
On September 12 last year, police formally opened a criminal case for ‘violating regulations on food safety.’
On December 24 the same year, investigators issued decisions to prosecute nine suspects for supplying and trading food originating from dead or sick pigs infected with African swine fever, under Clause 4, Article 317 of Vietnam’s Penal Code.
The suspects include individuals from Hai Phong and Hung Yen Province, namely Bui Duc Trong, 47; Le Ba Doanh, 49; Nguyen Thi Tuyen, 46; Nguyen Thi Lan, 49; Dinh Thi Nghi, 44; Nguyen Binh Loan, 58; Pham Xuan Toan, 51; Nguyen Gia Dat, 55; and Trinh Ha Viet, 35.
Authorities said all of the contaminated pork has been destroyed in accordance with regulations.
The investigation is ongoing to clarify responsibilities and handle the case strictly under the law.
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