Nguyen Thanh Hai, chairwoman of the National Assembly's Science, Technology and Environment Committee, urged clarification on state management responsibility after Ha Long Canned Food Joint Stock Company was found using diseased pork for pate production. Speaking at a National Assembly Standing Committee session on 12/1, Hai described the incident as having "a significant impact nationwide" and serving as "a high-level warning for food safety."
Hai highlighted the incident as a blatant disregard for consumer health and lives by a major brand. She expressed personal concern, noting her family had consumed the company's products, including canned pork, fish in tomato sauce, stewed beef, and pate.
Referencing the action plan for African swine fever from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (now the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment), Hai emphasized that all infected pigs must be culled. She questioned whether there was concealment of the disease or lax management of culling, allowing diseased pigs to enter the market.
While police initially identified a closed network spanning procurement, transport, and processing, Hai demanded clarification on why the infected pigs were not culled, the procedures for culling and supervision, and which state management agency is ultimately responsible for the incident.
The chairwoman stated that organizational work in some areas remains "limited, with loopholes and corruption." She warned that such incidents, where "one rotten apple spoils the barrel," could erode public trust in the market, especially for canned and processed foods. She urged authorities to continue reviewing canned goods sold on the market.
 |
Nguyen Thanh Hai, chairwoman of the Science, Technology and Environment Committee. *Photo: Hoang Phong* |
Hai Phong Police arrested the General Director of Ha Long Canned Food Joint Stock Company and three employees on 10/1. The arrests relate to their responsibility for managing raw material quality.
An investigation by the Economic Police Department of Hai Phong City Police in 9/2025 uncovered two cars transporting 1.2 tons of pork, of unknown origin, which tested positive for the African swine fever virus. Expanding the case, authorities discovered about 130 tons of diseased frozen pork stored at the Ha Long Canned Food Company's warehouse.
Using this pork, the company processed over 1.7 tons of finished pate, equivalent to approximately 14,000 cans, between 6-7/9/2025. Other company products also tested positive for the African swine fever virus. Authorities determined the infected pork was collected from sources in Hung Yen province without legal documentation.
The Ha Long Canned Food factory in Hai Phong announced a halt in production starting 12/1.
Son Ha
