On 10/3, the Ninh Binh Provincial Police Investigation Agency initiated criminal proceedings against and temporarily detained suspect Vu Van Dung, 41, residing in Y Yen commune, to investigate the act of producing fake food, according to Article 193 of the Penal Code.

The investigation agency announced the arrest warrant for suspect Vu Van Dung. Photo: Police provided

Upon inspecting the Quang Minh production and business facility in Quyet Tien 1 village, Y Yen commune, operated by Dung, authorities discovered the production of products labeled Hoang Hai Vinegar that failed to meet quality standards. The ingredients did not match the information listed on the product labels and the registered self-declared product specifications.

Authorities seized the entire machinery line, production tools at the facility, and approximately 12,000 bottles of finished vinegar, each with a capacity of 450 ml.

Authorities also discovered approximately 1,5 tons of acetic acid, an ingredient of unknown origin and substandard quality, along with over 50,000 empty bottles, cartons, and labels prepared for product manufacturing and packaging.

Authorities accused the facility of using tap water mixed with industrial acetic acid, purchased from unregulated sources, to create edible vinegar products, which were then bottled and released for market consumption.

A bottle of finished vinegar product, not yet sold on the market. Photo: Police provided

Police estimated that if not detected promptly, with the prepared quantity of raw materials and packaging, the facility could have produced about one million liters of fake vinegar. This type of product does not ensure food safety and hygiene, posing a serious risk to consumer health and creating unfair competition in the food production and business sector.

Le Hoang