Supermarkets are simultaneously recalling mushrooms of unknown origin.

Many types of edible mushrooms of unknown origin are being sold indiscriminately in markets and supermarkets in Hanoi.

Mushrooms are a delicious food, favored by many Vietnamese consumers. It's easy to find varieties like enoki mushrooms and oyster mushrooms in supermarkets, markets, and stores. According to surveys, while in 2013 only one or two types of edible mushrooms were available on vegetable stalls in Vietnamese markets, this year has seen a "boom" in the popularity of this food item.

Most consumers trust and choose mushrooms labeled "Made in Vietnam," but in reality, these are mushrooms that are not produced in Vietnam. Small traders say they import mushrooms from wholesale markets, but they are also unsure of their origin.

The packaging of the pearl mushroom pouch is entirely in Chinese characters.

Surveys conducted at local markets in Hanoi reveal that many types of snow fungus, enoki mushrooms, and chicken leg mushrooms are sold in large quantities, but most lack clear information about their origin. Many products have packaging printed with Korean or Japanese characters but are not refrigerated and do not have expiration dates.

It is known that there are currently several dozen mushroom production facilities and cooperatives in Hanoi, but they mainly produce button mushrooms, oyster mushrooms, and shiitake mushrooms; while high-end mushrooms such as enoki mushrooms and snow mushrooms are difficult to grow in Vietnam's climate and have relatively high prices.

Enoki mushrooms are very difficult to grow in Vietnam.

Given the prevalence of mushrooms of unknown origin, the Director of the Food Safety and Hygiene Department of the Ministry of Health told Vietq.vn that the agency will collect samples for analysis and publish the results for consumers to know.

Supermarkets stop selling unregistered mushrooms.

And a significant number of high-end mushrooms of unknown origin are being sold widely in supermarket chains such as Fivimart, Coopmart... These mushrooms are being disguised as "Vietnamese mushrooms".

According to VTV's investigation, these supermarkets imported mushrooms of unknown origin from the Luu Mai Huong facility. The mushrooms from the Luu Mai Huong facility were labeled with an address in Lang Son, but in reality, the production facility did not have these mushrooms. In fact, the mushrooms were collected at the Lang Son facility, even though that facility did not produce them, then transported to Gia Lam for packaging, labeled with the Luu Mai Huong logo, and distributed to the supermarkets.

Representatives from Fivimart supermarket confirmed that their supermarket chains import and sell mushrooms from a production facility named Luu Mai Huong after the facility submitted all necessary documents regarding the purchase and sale of goods and quality and labeling certificates. These include a certificate of food safety and hygiene compliance issued by the Lang Son Department of Health.

However, immediately after receiving information that the mushroom products from Luu Mai Huong's facility were of unknown origin, supermarkets temporarily stopped selling mushrooms imported from this facility to conduct verification. Fivimart supermarket, in particular, returned all remaining mushrooms to Luu Mai Huong's facility.

Currently, at Fivimart, bags of mushrooms of unknown origin have been removed.

According to biological research experts, ordinary mushrooms can only be preserved for 5-7 days after harvesting; however, mushrooms sold in supermarkets have a shelf life of 8-20 days, posing a potential health risk to consumers.

Experts have warned that fresh mushrooms, if left past their expiration date, become breeding grounds for many disease-causing bacteria, posing a danger to consumers. Expired mushrooms contain various pathogenic bacteria and parasites, especially dangerous bacterial toxins, which can cause food poisoning and even cancer. Typically, packaged mushrooms can only be used for one week under refrigerated conditions.

According to Vietnam.net