Super dirty tofu is still sold at Vinh Ga market

(Baonghean.vn) - After the provincial interdisciplinary team issued a notice to suspend production and business activities, the dirty tofu production facility next to Vinh Ga market is still openly operating.

» Discovered a horrifyingly dirty tofu production facility near Vinh station

The provincial interdisciplinary team inspected a dirty tofu facility next to Vinh Railway Station Market on the morning of March 10. Photo: Tu Thanh.

As reported by Nghe An Newspaper: On the morning of March 10, 2017, the interdisciplinary inspection team on food safety in Nghe An province discovered a horribly dirty tofu production facility next to Vinh Railway Station Market. That is the Vu Cao Cuong tofu production facility, block 14, Le Loi ward. The facility did not ensure food safety during the production process. The interdisciplinary team issued a record suspending production and business activities within 1 month from the date of inspection for the facility to correct.

Ms. Thai Thi Van, Ha Huy Tap ward, Vinh city said: “I used to be on a diet so I usually ate 2 tofu bars every day. A couple of times I went to Vinh Ga Market to buy tofu from this facility. One time I ate it and vomited, so I was scared until now. Reading Nghe An Newspaper and seeing the article about this production facility and seeing the dirty and unhygienic processing equipment, I was so scared. From now on, I don't dare to eat it anymore. I request that the authorities severely punish this facility and other dirty food establishments.”

The information about the discovery of a dirty tofu production facility has received the attention of many people. On social networks such as Facebook and Zalo, thousands of articles and information have been shared. The majority of people expressed their outrage at the dirty tofu production facility that has harmed the health of consumers and suggested boycotting tofu and soy milk products from this production facility.

Some other opinions said: There should be heavier penalties to act as a deterrent; recommend that authorities strengthen management of tofu production in particular and food in general.

Information from the people said: Although the interdisciplinary team had drawn up a record of administrative violations in the form of suspending production and business activities, this facility was still operating as usual... Checking the information, on the morning of March 13, a reporter from Nghe An Newspaper confirmed: Production and business activities of the facility were still taking place.

Talking with the Interdisciplinary Inspection Team on Food Safety of Nghe An province, it is known that: On the morning of March 13, the Team decided to assign the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Quality Management of Nghe An to carry out supervision and inspection work, forcing the Vu Cao Cuong tofu production facility to suspend production and business activities for correction.

After this decision, the Nghe An Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Quality Management will conduct inspection and supervision; allowing the facility to resume operations when ensuring food safety during the production process.

Despite being suspended, Vu Cao Cuong tofu production facility still produces, trades and sells products (Photo taken on the morning of March 13, 2017). Photo: Thanh Chung

Through the above incident, Mr. Le Hong Minh, medical information system consultant, Ministry of Health: “Thank you to the authorities for taking action, helping people feel more secure in using food. However, the reality shows that there are still many establishments producing, trading and processing dirty food in Nghe An in particular and the whole country in general. We request that management agencies at all levels take strict measures and closely manage the processing and trading of tofu in particular and food in general before it reaches consumers. Inspection and punishment must go hand in hand with guidance and post-inspection - otherwise it will be like throwing away a plate.”

This week, the Nghe An Province Food Safety Inspection Team will contact and work with the Vinh City People's Committee on food safety management and inspection in the area.

Thanh Son