Police-led investigation into allegations of tainted meat from CP Vietnam
Fresh Take:
Hà Nội's burnin' hot topic this week is the probe initiated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment into CP Livestock JSC (CP Việt Nam). The inspection comes in response to allegations of shady meat quality practices that have raised eyebrows among locals.
Minister Phùng Đức Tiến came out swingin' at a press conference, highlighting images of sickly pigs from CP's slaughterhouse D.N. being used as fish feed—a strategy Tiến considers inappropriate.
At the facility, head honcho Nguyễn Chí Cường insisted the diseased pork was treated and used for fish feed. However, Tiến wasn't buying it, pointing out that the pigs showed signs of haemorrhaging and bacterial infection—no good for feed.
Who approved that veterinary inspection stamp, Tiến demanded to know. In addition, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment will team up with the Ministry of Industry and Trade to examine the situation closely, with no tolerance for rule-breaking.
Preliminary reports indicate that this mess allegedly happened in Hậu Giang Province three years back, but CP neglected to declare the diseased pork or propose it as fish feed.
Deputy Director Nguyễn Thu Thủy of the Department of Animal Health explained that the pigs in question were clearly infected with disease and should've been disposed of with a triangular stamp. Instead, they bore a square stamp, meaning they were allowed to hit the market.
Thủy also shared that an unlucky three out of four CP Việt Nam retail outlets in Sóc Trăng Province had passed their expiration dates for food safety certificates. Uh-oh.
So, what's next? The regional veterinary department is hard at work investigating additional retail outlets in Sóc Trăng and Hậu Giang provinces and will dish out appropriate measures.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment holds its monthly press conference in Hà Nội on Tuesday. - VNS Photo Tố Như
CP Việt Nam's former employee Lië́u Quý Nhân dropped a bombshell on Facebook, alleging that the company has regularly passed off diseased pork and chicken meat to customers. Nhân, currently battling stage-4 kidney failure, was booted from the company for supposedly skipping work.
CP Việt Nam defend themselves against Nhân's accusations and remain mum when contacted by VOV. Stay tuned for more updates on this situation.
- The discussion about CP Livestock JSC in Ha Noi this week also includes concerns about AI in the industry, as allegations of shady meat quality practices raise questions about the use of technology to ensure food safety.
- The General News outlet reports that many are questioning the health implications of such practices, given the potential for hormones and antibiotics in the meat to affect human health-and-wellness.
- Some argue that this incident could have a negative impact on the country's culture of food-and-drink, promoting a shift towards unhealthy and unsustainable practices in the name of commerce.
- Environmentalists, meanwhile, are calling for increased oversight and regulation of the meat industry to prevent further pollution and ensure the protection of the environment.
- The Medicine and Science community are also weighing in, expressing concern about the potential for bacterial infections from diseased meat to spread and cause widespread health problems.
- In the realm of Crime and Justice, if the allegations against CP Livestock JSC are found to be true, the company could face fines and potential legal action.
- Amidst growing concern about the health, wellness, and environmental impact of the meat industry, some are calling for a shift towards plant-based diets and a lifestyle that prioritizes nutrition and sustainable practices.
