On May 27, 2025, police in Lao Cai province, Vietnam, announced the discovery and shutdown of two facilities in Lao Cai city that were using harmful chemicals to produce hundreds of tons of bean sprouts sold in the market.
Prior to this, on May 23, 2025, as part of a plan to crack down on food safety violations and crimes in the province, the Police Department for Corruption, Economic, Smuggling, and Environmental Crime Investigation of Lao Cai Provincial Police, in collaboration with relevant authorities, inspected several bean sprout production facilities in Lao Cai city.
The inspection revealed that two households, headed by Mr. Luu Van Ve (born 1969) at 360 Le Thanh Street, Bac Cuong Ward, Lao Cai City, and Mr. Ta Van Hai (born 1971) in Son Man 2 Village, Van Hoa Commune, Lao Cai City, were using harmful chemicals to produce hundreds of tons of bean sprouts sold in the market.
Specifically, at Mr. Luu Van Ve’s residence, the police discovered 271 containers with a volume of about 15 liters each, containing various types of bean sprouts, totaling approximately 2.5 tons.
At Mr. Ta Van Hai’s residence, the authorities found 602 containers of bean sprouts, including 313 containers with a total weight of about 4.1 tons of ready-to-sell 5-day-old bean sprouts. The officers also seized premixed solutions and other materials used for bean sprout production.
Forensic examination by the Institute of Criminal Science under the Ministry of Public Security identified the solution as 6-Benzylaminopurine (6- BAP). The individuals confessed to using this chemical mixed with limewater to soak the bean sprouts to make them more attractive, prevent root growth, and increase yield. These products were distributed to local markets, vegetable shops, and neighboring provinces.
6-Benzylaminopurine (6- BAP) is a harmful substance that is not permitted for use in food processing and poses a risk to human health. Prolonged exposure to this chemical can lead to serious health consequences, including damage to the liver, kidneys, and lungs, and even death.
Through interrogation and examination of sales records, data collection from various sources, and cross-referencing, the police determined that Mr. Luu Van Ve’s bean sprout production facility had been operating since May 2024 and had supplied approximately 180 tons of chemically treated bean sprouts to the market by May 23, 2025. Mr. Ta Van Hai’s facility had also sold nearly 168 tons of bean sprouts treated with harmful chemicals annually.
The Investigation Police Agency of Lao Cai Provincial Police is gathering evidence and documents for handling the case in accordance with the law.
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