On May 27, the Lao Cai Provincial Police announced the discovery and raid of two facilities in Lao Cai City that used harmful chemicals to produce hundreds of tons of bean sprouts sold in the market.
Earlier, on May 23, the Economic Police Department of the Provincial Police, in coordination with relevant authorities, inspected bean sprout production facilities in Lao Cai City. The inspection revealed that Mr. Luu Van Ve’s household (56 years old, address: 360 Le Thanh Street, Bac Cuong Ward, Lao Cai City) and Mr. Ta Van Hai’s household (54 years old, in Son Man 2 Village, Van Hoa Commune, Lao Cai City) used harmful chemicals in bean sprout production.
Hundreds of buckets of bean sprouts soaked in chemicals, ready to be released to the market. Photo: Police supply
At the time of the inspection, at Mr. Luu Van Ve’s household, the authorities discovered 271 buckets with a volume of about 15 liters each, containing various types of bean sprouts, totaling about 2.5 tons.
At Mr. Ta Van Hai’s household, the authorities found 602 buckets containing different types of bean sprouts, including 313 buckets with a total weight of about 4.1 tons of finished bean sprouts ready for market release.
The inspecting authorities seized several pre-mixed solutions used for bean sprout production, along with other related exhibits.
At the police station, the owners of the aforementioned bean sprout production facilities confessed to using 6-Benzylaminopurine (6-BAP) mixed with limewater to soak the bean sprouts to make them look better, prevent root growth, and increase yield.
The bean sprouts were distributed to many local markets and vegetable shops in Lao Cai Province and neighboring areas.
Authorities inspecting the bean sprout production process, which involves the use of harmful chemicals. Photo: Police supply
A closer look at the bean sprouts produced using harmful chemicals. Photo: Police supply
Initially, the police determined that Mr. Ve’s bean sprout production facility had been operating since May 2024. In the past year, this facility has supplied about 180 tons of bean sprouts to the market.
Mr. Hai’s facility has also sold nearly 168 tons of bean sprouts containing harmful substances to the market.
Buckets of harmful chemicals used in bean sprout production. Photo: Police supply
The test results from the Forensic Science Institute of the Ministry of Public Security identified the seized solutions as containing 6-Benzylaminopurine (6-BAP), a harmful substance not permitted for use in food processing, and which poses health risks to consumers. Prolonged exposure to this chemical can cause serious damage to the liver, kidneys, and lungs and may even lead to death.
The case is currently under further investigation by the Investigation Police Agency of Lao Cai Provincial Police.
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