Tricks of 4 subjects producing 3,500 tons of bean sprouts soaked in chemical 'candy water' in Nghe An

On April 20, Nghe An Provincial Police said they are continuing to investigate a food safety violation case involving four establishments producing bean sprouts incubated with chemicals (6-Benzylaminopurine).

Previously, on April 18, 2025, the Police Department of Investigation of Crimes of Corruption, Economic and Smuggling of Nghe An Provincial Police issued a decision to prosecute the case, prosecute the accused and issue an Arrest Warrant to detain 04 subjects including: Luu Manh Huong (born in 1993), Luu Van Trung (born in 1997), both residing in Truc Hung commune, Truc Ninh district, Nam Dinh province; Tran Khac Duy (born in 1990) and Nguyen Van Huong (born in 1998), both residing in Vinh Tan ward, Vinh city, Nghe An province for the crime of Violating regulations on food safety.

During the inspection, the Police Department investigating crimes of corruption, economics and smuggling discovered and seized nearly 2,000 jars containing various types of bean sprouts, with a total weight of about 25 tons of bean sprouts; 25 liters of chemical solution "candy water" (scientific name is pure 6-Benzylaminopurine (6-BAP) and 150 liters of mixed solution to serve the production of bean sprouts and some other related exhibits.

During the investigation to expand the case, the Investigation Agency clarified: To make the bean sprouts bigger, fatter, with shorter roots and more beautiful, and sell for higher profits, from 2024 until the time of arrest, the subjects produced and sold 3,500 tons of finished bean sprouts to the market using "candy water" to soak and water the bean sprouts.

According to the authorities, the chemical 6 – Benzylaminopurine that the subjects used to water the bean sprouts during the production process is not on the list of chemicals allowed for use in food production and processing and the list of pesticides allowed for use in Vietnam.

This is a cell growth stimulant. If humans come into contact with or ingest it, it will cause many serious effects such as: acute poisoning, digestive disorders (damaging the esophagus, stomach lining and leading to nausea), respiratory effects (causing difficulty breathing, lung damage, pneumonia, worsening lung and bronchial diseases, even pulmonary fibrosis)...

To combat and eradicate the bean sprout production line using chemicals to increase output and gain higher profits than normal due to subjects from other provinces colluding with subjects in the area to conduct this activity, the Task Force encountered many difficulties.

To evade the authorities and smuggle the products into the market, the subjects used many sophisticated methods and tricks. The subjects chose locations and areas far from residential areas, where few people passed by; covered them tightly with materials such as canvas, corrugated iron, nets, etc. to make it difficult for outsiders to access; and operated mainly at night or early morning.

At the police station, the four subjects initially confessed to their illegal acts. Accordingly, in order to shorten the growing time and prolong the storage time, helping to increase the yield of bean sprouts (bean sprouts are bigger, fatter, have shorter roots and are more beautiful), and gain higher profits, these subjects used "candy water" to water the bean sprout jars during the production process.

From 2024 to present, the subjects have used "candy water" to produce bean sprouts, selling to the market a total volume of more than 3,500 tons of finished bean sprouts. On average, each facility produces about 3-5 tons of bean sprouts per day, then sells them to retailers at wholesale markets in Nghe An and neighboring provinces at a price of 10,000 - 15,000 VND/kg.

Luu Manh Huong, Luu Van Trung, Tran Khac Duy and Nguyen Van Huong were aware that using "candy water" to produce bean sprouts was wrong and violated the law, but due to greed, they continued to use the above chemicals to produce and grow bean sprouts.

This "candy water" was ordered by the subjects from a man (unknown background and address) through social networks.

Currently, the Police Department investigating crimes of corruption, economics and smuggling is continuing to investigate and expand the case.