Vietnam seizes over 10 tonnes of Chinese fish found contaminated with formaldehyde

The provincial police officers in coordination with related agencies intercepted a tractor-trailer transporting 271 boxes of frozen bummalo weighing a total of 7.046 metric tons.

The vehicle was driven by Nguyen Thanh Phuong, a 44-year-old resident of Gia Lai Province.

According to police reports, Phuong told investigators that after delivering fruits from southern Vietnam to the northern province of Lang Son, he was hired by Anh Minh VN International Trading Co., Ltd. in Lang Son to transport 372 boxes of ice-packed bummalo, totaling 9.672 metric tons.

The fish had been imported from China through the Huu Nghi International Border Gate in Lang Son.

Phuong said he was instructed to deliver the fish to multiple destinations from Thanh Hoa to Gia Lai, with a transport fee of VND20 million (US$760).

Before being stopped, he had already delivered 101 boxes weighing more than two metric tons to three seafood traders in Thanh Hoa.

When Phuong prepared to deliver the remaining shipment to other buyers, authorities moved in and seized the cargo.

Subsequent inspections by police and market surveillance forces at storage facilities where deliveries had already been made led to the confiscation of an additional 181 boxes of frozen fish weighing 3.37 metric tons, including both newly delivered goods and remaining stock.

In total, more than 10 metric tons of bummalo were confiscated in the case.

Initial investigations showed that imported bummalo from China is currently sold wholesale at VND37,000 ($1.4) per kilogram and sold retail to consumers at around VND130,000 ($5) per kilogram, significantly cheaper than fresh, naturally caught bummalo, which can fetch roughly VND250,000 ($9.5) per kilogram.

Police sent samples of the seized fish to the National Institute for Food Control under the Ministry of Health for analysis.

Test results confirmed that all samples contained concentrated formaldehyde at levels ranging from 90 to 105 milligrams per kilogram.

Formaldehyde is an extremely toxic substance that is strictly banned from use in food processing and consumption.

Health experts warn that ingesting food containing formaldehyde can cause severe digestive problems, including esophageal and gastric inflammation and ulcers. 

Exposure to high levels can be fatal.

Thanh Hoa police said their investigation is ongoing to determine the full scope of the distribution network and identify all individuals and organizations involved.