Chinese mangoes made from plastic bags: Just fake news?

Recently, many videos have been posted on social networks describing the inside of this mango seed as having thick membranes like plastic bags, attracting thousands of viewers.

The white membrane inside the mango seed is rumored by some to be made of nylon - (Photo NLD cut from clip)

However, this is just a rumor and there is no basis to conclude that the mango is fake.

Mr. Ma Quang Trung, Director of the Department of Crop Production (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) confirmed that the mango variety in the clip that has just spread online originated from Taiwan and has been grown in Vietnam.

According to incomplete reports from the Department of Crop Production, the Southern provinces have so far planted over 6,000 hectares of Taiwanese mangoes. Of which, An Giang has 4,315 hectares, Dong Thap 827 hectares (620 hectares are being harvested), Dong Nai 740 hectares, Vinh Long 100 hectares, Hau Giang 40 hectares, and Tien Giang 25 hectares.

Taiwanese mango variety (also known as three-color mango, green Taiwanese mango), grows strongly, is less susceptible to pests and diseases, has thick skin convenient for long-distance transportation, so farmers increase new planting area.

"However, this mango variety only meets the need for fresh consumption, has not been thoroughly researched, and has not been recognized as a variety allowed for production in the Southern provinces," Mr. Trung noted.

Regarding plant quarantine, Mr. Trung said that if the units bring them into Vietnam to conduct experimental research and have permission, these varieties have been quarantined for safety before being imported into Vietnam.

"However, there are cases where plants are brought into Vietnam by hand-carrying or smuggled into Vietnam without being controlled for pests and diseases," said Mr. Trung.

Mr. Trung also added that the Taiwanese mango variety has increased its acreage abnormally in recent years. The Department of Crop Production has requested the Departments of Agriculture and Rural Development of many provinces in the South to properly manage the approved mango planting plans. Localities are also required to have a plan to propagate and instruct farmers to be cautious in planting new mango varieties to avoid breaking the planning and plans and affecting the stable development of mango acreage in the region.

At the same time, according to Zing, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) Tran Thanh Nam has directed relevant Departments and branches to investigate and decode the incident./.

According to vov/zing