Nguyen Huu Cuong, 58, accused of illegally acquiring diseased pigs, slaughtering them, and freezing hundreds of kilograms of meat for illicit market sale.
Consuming pork infected with African swine fever, which may contain toxins and bacteria, can lead to food poisoning, damage to the intestinal epithelial cell layer, and impaired absorption function.
Lieutenant General Nguyen Thanh Tung has directed investigators to "conclusively prove" whether school and collective kitchens bear responsibility for importing diseased pork for meals.
A group of officials at the Van Phuc facility is accused of establishing "unwritten rules" with slaughterhouse owners and drivers, facilitating the sale of 3,600 pigs infected with African swine fever to the market.
