Request to recall thousands of tons of bean sprouts soaked in toxic substances that cause deformities

The document recently sent to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Dak Lak province by the Department of Quality, Processing and Market Development (NAFIQPM - Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) stated that, through information on the mass media, the Dak Lak Provincial Police Department has discovered and prosecuted a number of defendants of bean sprout production facilities using banned substances not on the list of permitted substances.

Therefore, the Department requests the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Dak Lak province to report and provide information related to this incident. This includes clear information about food safety management activities implemented by the locality for violating establishments; handling measures; recall requests and implementation results to date.

Reports must be submitted to this department before December 30.

In addition, the agency of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development also directed specialized agencies under the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Dak Lak province to closely coordinate with competent agencies in investigating, tracing, and handling violations when requested for coordination within the scope and management functions.

At the same time, strengthen propaganda and dissemination to people and agricultural food production and trading establishments in the area about regulations and measures to control food safety in food production and trading.

Request to strengthen the inspection, supervision and monitoring of the implementation of tasks that have been decentralized to district and commune management agencies in the area to promptly rectify and ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of food safety management tasks according to decentralization.

Previously, Dak Lak Provincial Police initiated four cases, prosecuted and temporarily detained four suspects living in Buon Ma Thuot City (Dak Lak), including Lam Van Dao, Vu Duy Tu, Nguyen Van Quynh, and Nguyen Van Hao, to investigate the crime of "violating food safety regulations".

According to the investigation agency, after simultaneously inspecting 6 bean sprout production facilities, the authorities discovered and seized 20,357 kg of bean sprouts that the group had soaked in the active ingredient 6-Benzylaminopurine.

This is a cell growth stimulant, if introduced into the body will have adverse effects on human health. In particular, just inhaling or long-term skin contact can cause low birth weight, hydrocephalus and birth defects; ingesting large amounts can cause death.

Notably, in 2024, the above subjects sold about 2,900 tons of bean sprouts soaked in the chemical 6-Benzylaminopurine to the market. Among them, one production facility also signed a contract to supply bean sprouts to Bach Hoa Xanh stores in the area from 350-400 kg/day.

Immediately after that, Bach Hoa Xanh responded to the information, confirming that it had immediately recalled and stopped selling all products from this supplier, and at the same time re-tested all bean sprout products being supplied to the chain.

At the summary meeting of the Department of Quality, Processing and Market Development on December 26, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Tran Thanh Nam emphasized that quality management and ensuring food safety of agricultural, forestry and fishery products are increasingly important because they are closely linked to people's health and the increasing demands of domestic and export markets.

He believes that the role of NAFIQPM also needs to be clearly demonstrated in every stage, from planting to when food reaches the dining table.

"Let's go to local markets and see, if we see someone selling both meat and fish, who will manage the quality? The market in the commune is the industry and trade sector, food safety is the agricultural sector. Don't wait until something happens to deal with it. The Department of Quality, Processing and Market Development needs to propose a coordination regulation on food safety," said Deputy Minister Nam.