'Arsenic-contaminated fish sauce case': Dismissal of Deputy Secretary General of VINASTAS

Regarding the results of the survey on fish sauce contaminated with Arsenic, the Vietnam Association for Standards and Consumer Protection (VINASTAS) has just dismissed Mr. Vuong Ngoc Tuan, Deputy General Secretary of VINASTAS.

Mr. Tuan is one of the members of the VINASTAS survey team on fish sauce. At the press conference announcing the results of the fish sauce survey on October 17, 2016, Mr. Tuan was the co-chair and directly answered the press on issues related to the survey results.

On October 17, 2016, VINASTAS held a meeting to report the results of a nationwide fish sauce survey. However, the program implementation team did not report the survey results carefully and clearly, including the identification of the concept of Arsenic with arsenic, which is not correct according to the Vietnamese Encyclopedia, which created conditions for the initial information to be released, causing confusion for consumers and concern for fish sauce producers and traders.

Mr. Vuong Ngoc Tuan (PLO photo)

Afterwards, VINASTAS officially apologized in writing to consumers, fish sauce producers and traders, and management agencies for the fish sauce survey results that caused a stir in public opinion. "On behalf of the survey team, Vinastas would like to send an apology to consumers, fish sauce producers and traders, and management agencies for the incident that occurred. We will seriously review the responsibilities of relevant individuals, improve the organization and working regulations to avoid similar mistakes," VINASTAS's letter stated.

In February 2017, the Government Office also sent an official dispatch to the Ministries of Public Security, Industry and Trade, and Home Affairs informing them of Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh's direction on the announcement of the quality of fish sauce by VINASTAS. The notice also requested the Ministries of Industry and Trade and Home Affairs to promptly complete the implementation of the Prime Minister's direction on the announcement of the quality of fish sauce by the Vietnam Association for Standards and Consumer Protection. The Ministry of Public Security will investigate and soon announce the results of the investigation into the case related to the quality of fish sauce announced by the Vietnam Association for Standards and Consumer Protection.

Regarding the incident, the Ministry of Industry and Trade recently sent a document to VINASTAS requesting this unit to report on the review and handling of individuals involved in the announcement of the fish sauce survey results. This includes reviewing Mr. Doan Phuong, Chairman of Vinastas. This report must be sent to the Ministry of Industry and Trade before April 20.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade said that, following the Prime Minister's direction on clarifying the responsibilities of individuals in the case of publishing false information about the fish sauce investigation and identifying the concept of arsenic, causing confusion for consumers, the ministry has issued a document instructing VINASTAS to clearly determine the responsibilities and review the related individuals. Although VINASTAS has submitted a report reviewing the responsibilities, the ministry said that it "did not meet the requirements" and had to redo it.

Informing the press, a representative of VINASTA said that the association is still handling this matter and will make a report according to regulations.

According to Justice