Hai Phong, Vietnam – Halong Canfoco, a prominent food processing company, was found to be in compliance with food safety regulations during inter-agency inspections conducted annually by Hai Phong City over three consecutive years, from 2023 to 2025. This information was detailed in a report from the Hai Phong Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to the Department of Quality, Processing and Market Development, under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

However, these findings starkly contrast with a significant discovery made in September 2025, when the Economic Police Department of Hai Phong City Police intercepted two oto transporting 1,2 tons of pork of untraceable origin, which tested positive for the african swine fever virus. The subsequent investigation uncovered approximately 130 tons of contaminated frozen pork stored at Halong Canfoco’s warehouse.

Halong Canfoco in Hai Phong. Photo: Le Tan

From this contaminated meat, Halong Canfoco processed over 1,7 tons of finished pate products, amounting to about 14,000 boxes, on 6-7/9/2025. Further tests revealed that some other products from the company also tested positive for the african swine fever virus. The Hai Phong Department of Agriculture and Rural Development reported that the infected meat was "collected from outside the province" and lacked the required quarantine certificates for transport. All contaminated products and raw materials were subsequently destroyed.

In addition to the pork products, authorities also destroyed 4,141 kg of rice paper spring rolls, 3,285 kg of special spring rolls made from infected pork, over 13,660 kg of frozen pork skin, 8,205 kg of frozen chicken skin, and 6,030 kg of imported frozen ground chicken found to be contaminated with Salmonella bacteria at the company's cold storage facility.

During the coordinated investigation, Halong Canfoco was instructed to trace and recall all products made from raw materials infected with african swine fever, foot-and-mouth disease, and Salmonella bacteria. The company announced a temporary halt to consumption and a recall of related products in mid-September 2025, completing the process by October 2025.

Halong Canfoco products being collected, packed, and returned to distributors by agents in Hai Phong. Photo: Le Tan

According to the Hai Phong Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s report, Halong Canfoco holds ISO 22000:2018 certification (certificate number AQV-40083), which is assessed annually for maintenance. The report also stated that under current regulations, the company "is not subject to certification for food safety eligibility, nor is it subject to inspection and monitoring of veterinary hygiene conditions."

Halong Canfoco was established in 1957 in Hai Phong, initially named Halong Canned Fish Factory. It currently operates three factories located in Halong, Da Nang, and Dong Thap, specializing in the production of sausages, spring rolls, various canned meats, fish, pate, and canned fruits and vegetables.

The Halong Canfoco factory in Hai Phong, situated at 71 Le Lai, Ngo Quyen ward, spans over 57,100 m2. It boasts an annual production capacity of 4,440 tons of food and seafood. This includes 1,179 tons of canned meat, 71 tons of canned fish, 109 tons of spring rolls, 2,202 tons of sausages, 495 tons of canned lotus seeds, and 384 tons of canned fruits and vegetables.

Following the discovery of hundreds of tons of infected pork, the company announced a 14-day production halt at its Hai Phong factory, effective from 12/1. Two days prior to this, Truong Sy Toan, the company’s General Director, along with three other personnel, were arrested for investigation. During the production halt, Halong Canfoco continued to pay its employees salaries ranging from 3,7 to over 5,3 million dong per month.

Gia Chinh