Shredded water spinach is soaked in chemicals to create its green color.

Many diners' favorite everyday food, after being finely shredded, is soaked in chemicals to make it green and visually appealing before being sold in the market.

Water spinach is shredded before being soaked in chemicals. Photo: Xuan Mai

On the evening of September 15th, the Ba Ria - Vung Tau Food Safety and Hygiene Sub-Department, in coordination with an inter-agency inspection team, unexpectedly raided a facility processing shredded water spinach owned by Ms. Tran Thi My in Kim Dinh ward, Ba Ria city.

The inspection team discovered over 200 kg of shredded water spinach scattered haphazardly on the dirty floor, along with several large basins of water containing dissolved blue chemicals used to make the water spinach appear green and appealing.

Chemicals used to soak water spinach. Photo: Tuoi Tre.

According to Ms. My, both the water spinach and the chemicals are purchased in Ho Chi Minh City. After being shredded by a machine, the water spinach is soaked in two large tubs containing chemicals. After only a few minutes, the chemicals adhere to the water spinach stems, creating an attractive bright green color. Each day, the facility produces about 300 kg of shredded water spinach, which is then transported and sold at the wholesale market in Ba Ria.

Water spinach is soaked in chemicals before being sold in the market. Photo: Xuan Thang.

Authorities have confiscated all the water spinach and chemicals for destruction and disposal.

According to Ngoisao.net