Chaos in the wine market in Nghe An

(Baonghean.vn) - Currently, there are many types of yeast sold on the market, but many products do not have an expiration date. In particular, the same type of yeast but different packaging makes consumers worried about handmade wine and food safety.

Various types of wine yeast are sold in a kiosk at Do Luong Trade Center Market. The shop owner did not want to reveal his face when we took photos. Photo: Xuan Hoang

A walk around the market in some rural markets and Vinh city shows that yeast is sold at grocery kiosks, with a variety of designs and products.

However, careful observation shows that there are yeasts with inconsistent packaging, no expiration date, and different origins. Lang Van yeast is an example.

It is also Lang Van yeast, but the packaging is different: the package on the right is sold at a kiosk in Lien Thanh commune (Yen Thanh), the package on the left is sold at the Do Luong Trade Center market. It is very difficult for consumers to recognize the quality of this yeast. Photo: Xuan Hoang

At the Do Luong Trade Center market, the owner of the TV kiosk introduced that she currently sells many types of yeast: Lang Van, Duc Ngo, Huong Thom... In particular, "Lang Van yeast" is already packaged (1 kg/package), showing that the packaging is simple and has no expiration date. Above it is written that the agent is in Do Luong - Nghe An, produced in Lang Van - Bac Ninh.

"You should buy some to try cooking. If you can make wine, use it for a long time, because each type of yeast is suitable for each water source," said the shop owner.

At HT grocery store in Lien Thanh commune (Yen Thanh), yeast is sold. We saw that Lang Van yeast is packaged more carefully, with clearer information on the packaging about the business license; the expiration date is 5 months but there is absolutely no production date.

At another kiosk in Nam Thanh commune (Yen Thanh), Lang Van yeast has a more beautiful and sophisticated packaging, but there is no production date on the packaging, although there is information "expiry date within 5 months". Even the place of production is different: At the Do Luong Commercial Market agency, it is stated that it is produced in Bac Ninh, while at Yen Thanh, it is stated that it is produced in Thai Thuy - Thai Binh.

Thus, the Lang Van yeast currently sold on the market today has different packaging in different places, making it difficult for consumers to distinguish which is the real product.

In the rural areas of Do Luong, Yen Thanh... there is also Duc Ngo traditional wine yeast packaged carefully and attractively, with lots of information about usage, ingredients, quality indicators, phone number, production facility (Thai Thuy district - Thai Binh), however, if you look closely, there is no production date, while on the packaging it says: Expiry date 5 months.

Many types of yeast are packaged carelessly and sold on the market. Photo: Xuan Hoang

At the PH yeast dealer, close to the Vinh market bus station gate, there are 4-5 types of yeast for sale. In addition to powdered yeast, packaged yeast tablets named Lang Van, Phuc Hung, Duc Ngo... there is also unpackaged yeast. The saleswoman said: All types of yeast are good, can be used to make wine, and are completely produced domestically. Unpackaged yeast tablets are made from traditional Chinese medicine and are delicious. The types of yeast tablets commonly sold today, such as Thanh Hoa, Nam Dinh, Thai Binh, Hai Phong..., cost from 18-20 thousand VND/kg.

Phuc Hung yeast is sold quite a lot in rural areas. Photo: Xuan Hoang

According to some people who specialize in making country wine, up to now, people often buy yeast sold at kiosks in the area, with a full range of yeast with different names and prices. There is one thing that consumers often do not care about, which is the origin, quality of yeast... For them, just knowing which yeast is "good" for wine, easy to ferment rice, the finished wine is "smooth", not causing headaches is enough to buy it for use.

This "naked" yeast ball is said by the seller at Vinh market to be a delicious herbal medicine and wine yeast. Photo: Xuan Hoang

In fact, local authorities are actively implementing the directives of superiors on tightening the management of artisanal wine. However, the issue of “input” - yeast - is still not really concerned while this is an important factor determining the quality of finished wine.

Xuan Hoang