Management loopholes in the Giao Hien tainted roasted meat scandal.

(Baonghean.vn) – Serious violations at the Giao Hien roasted meat facility have revealed major loopholes in management.

During an inspection on the morning of April 22nd, the inter-agency inspection team of the province discovered two pigs that had died earlier for unknown reasons.

No one guided me, so how would I know!

During the inspection, the inter-agency inspection team of Nghe An province issued a report against Giao Hien roasted meat facility (Vinh My block, Vinh Tan ward, Vinh city) for the following violations: The facility did not meet food safety requirements; the processing area was not isolated from sources of pollution; employees directly involved in production and processing did not wear protective equipment; and the production and processing process did not follow a one-way flow…

In particular, the team discovered two pigs that had died from an unknown cause. The team invited the Vinh City veterinary station to investigate to determine the cause and take appropriate action.

After the minutes were announced, Mr. Le Trung Dung, representing Giao Hien roasted meat establishment, acknowledged the inspection team's findings and promised to rectify the situation in accordance with regulations. Regarding the reasons for the violation, Mr. Dung stated: "No one has ever inspected or guided us before, so how would we know? No agency ever told us that it wasn't allowed or that we needed to make changes."

Management loopholes

Regarding the "reason" for the violation mentioned by Mr. Dung, a reporter from Nghe An Newspaper contacted several relevant agencies, and representatives from these agencies provided related information.

The owner of Giao Hien roasted meat establishment (wearing a blue shirt and glasses) signs the inspection report at the meeting on April 22nd.

Mr. Nguyen Tien Duc – Head of the Vinh City Veterinary Station:"This is the first time I've heard about this Giao Hien facility. I was very surprised to hear about the violations here. This facility operates here without registering anything; their name isn't on the veterinary list... I assert: They don't have a single document. The responsibility here lies with Vinh Tan ward!"

Regarding the Giao Hien facility, the City Veterinary Station imposed a fine of 4 million VND according to Article 9, Violations concerning the quarantine of terrestrial animals and products circulating domestically, of the Veterinary Ordinance No. 18/2004/PL-UBTVQH dated April 29, 2004. This is only the fine imposed by the veterinary agency. We will handle the case as handed over by the inter-agency team and report back."

Mr. Nguyen Chi Thong - Deputy Head of the Economic Department, Vinh City People's Committee:"The Giao Hien slaughterhouse is not included in the Vinh City People's Committee's approved plan for a centralized livestock slaughtering network. Currently, this facility has not been granted any license for centralized livestock slaughtering and food processing."

This facility is managed by Vinh Tan ward. Up until now, the facility has been located within Vinh Tan ward's jurisdiction, but no inspections or penalties have been imposed. Currently, we have not received any reports from Vinh Tan ward regarding the existence of this slaughterhouse and food processing facility."

GrandfatherNguyen Ba Tu - Head of the Veterinary Department, Vinh Tan Ward People's Committee:"The Giao Hien facility has been operating in the area for 4 years. In March 2015, the ward conducted an inspection and reminded the facility that it needed to have all the necessary permits from the competent authorities before operating. The ward reported this to the city and requested further guidance. Since then, the relevant department has not reminded them again."

Before and after the 2016 Lunar New Year, the ward organized an inter-agency team including veterinarians, health officials, and urban environmental specialists to remind the establishment, but no official report was filed. The ward also inspected the number of livestock in the barns and the health status of the animals. The inter-agency team did not inspect food safety and hygiene, only issued a reminder. From a subjective perspective, we felt safe. Only today (April 22nd) did we learn that the establishment does not have any food safety and hygiene permits."

The suspension will continue until the problem is fixed!

Regarding questions about the severity of penalties and why food processed under unsafe conditions was not destroyed, a reporter from Nghe An Newspaper also spoke with the inter-agency inspection team.

The Vinh City Veterinary Station is isolating and monitoring the remaining 10 pigs at the roasting facility.

Mr. Hoang Quoc Son - Deputy Head of the inter-agency delegation, Deputy Head of the Nghe An Food Safety and Hygiene Sub-Department:"Because the establishment has not presented any kind of license, the inter-agency team has only requested that it cease operations and has not yet issued an administrative penalty decision."

For an administrative penalty decision to be effective, accurate information such as the name and address of the establishment as stated in the business registration certificate is mandatory. The inter-agency team requested the owner of the establishment to bring all relevant licenses and certificates to the inspection office of the Nghe An Department of Health at 8:00 AM on April 25, 2016. Based on the owner's compliance with these requirements and the results of the on-site inspection, the inter-agency team will issue a formal penalty decision.

The inter-agency team did not confiscate or destroy the pork at the facility because doing so would require proving the meat was unsafe by taking samples and testing. Testing is very expensive, time-consuming, and if the food spoils during storage, compensation would be required."

Dr. Nguyen Xuan Hong - Deputy Head of the Standing CommitteeThe Inter-agency Steering Committee on Food Safety and Hygiene of Nghe An Province, Deputy Director of the Department of Health:"Eating is a daily necessity, related to everyone's health, so food safety and hygiene inspections are of great importance and need to be done regularly."

During inspections, food production, business, and processing facilities that meet quality standards will be encouraged to develop and contribute to public health; violations will be strictly dealt with in accordance with the law.

Giao Hien roasted meat establishment will be suspended from operation until the existing violations and shortcomings are rectified."

Thanh Son