The food safety violation involving HaLong Canfoco Joint Stock Company, located in Ngo Quyen Ward, Hai Phong City, has garnered significant public attention.
Most recently, Hai Phong City authorities destroyed over 6,400 cans of “Hai Phong Lighthouse” pâté, 90g each, produced on September 6, 2025, and more than 7,500 cans of 150g each, made from pork infected with African swine fever.
However, the “Hai Phong Lighthouse” pâté brand of HaLong Canfoco overlaps with the traditional pâté product famous in the port city, sold by vendors at Lighthouse Market (Chua Hang Street, Hai Phong) for decades. This has led to consumer confusion and concerns about the quality of the local specialty, severely impacting sales.
Interviews with Lighthouse pâté vendors on Chua Hang Street (Hai Phong) (Clip: NXH)
Chua Hang Street scene on January 9th
According to our observations on January 9, 2026, sales of Lighthouse pâté vendors on Chua Hang Street have plummeted.
Mr. Hau, a Lighthouse pâté shop owner in Hai Phong, stated: “Sales have dropped significantly, by about 50% – 60%, because consumers are unaware and unsure, so they dare not buy.”
Currently, residents in the area are quite upset after the incident. Mr. Hau said: “Lighthouse pâté is not just sold by one or two shops but by an entire street, related to the whole city, famous both domestically and internationally. Yet now, an entire street of well-made, properly prepared pâté is being tarnished by a few others, affecting the specialty.
The brand has been deeply ingrained in people’s minds; visiting Hai Phong means buying some pâté as a gift. We, the locals in this trade, are very upset.”
Mr. Hau
Ms. Huong, another shop owner, shared: “That Lighthouse pâté is just them using our Lighthouse pâté name; it’s actually HaLong Canfoco, only around 1-2 years old. Lighthouse pâté has been around since the 1980s and 1990s. Back then, there were only 1-2 small stalls at the intersection; later, it became an entire street, each shop with its unique flavor for different customers, each family making their own.”
According to our research, HaLong Canfoco began introducing “Hai Phong Lighthouse” pâté in 2023. At that time, the product created a buzz on social media, with many content creators advertising and reviewing it on various platforms.
Ms. Huong and Mr. Hau
In her interview with us, Ms. Kim Ngan, another pâté shop owner, explained that the raw materials for vendors here usually come from local slaughterhouses or directly from Lighthouse Market. Each household processes only about 30-40-50kg of fresh meat daily, with no storage. Typically, Saturdays and Sundays see more customers.
After the incident, businesses and regular customers of Ms. Kim Ngan’s shop have proactively introduced and explained: “Lighthouse pâté from Hai Phong and HaLong Canfoco’s Lighthouse pâté are different.”
Ms. Kim Ngan (in white)
Some long-time vendors, like Ms. Hien and Ms. Van, who have sold pâté for decades, confirmed that the Lighthouse pâté on Chua Hang Street has nothing to do with HaLong Canfoco’s product.
“Mornings are usually very busy, but yesterday it was still busy; this morning, it has dropped significantly. People don’t understand; they hear ‘Hai Phong Lighthouse pâté’ and are scared, but this is a Hai Phong specialty,” Ms. Hien shared with us.
Ms. Van affirmed: “In general, we have no relationship with them (the unit selling canned Hai Phong Lighthouse pâté – PV).”
Ms. Hien
Ms. Van
According to our observations, the price of Lighthouse pâté on Chua Hang Street is currently around 200,000 VND/kg for fresh pâté, and baguettes are about 3,000 VND each. Vendors here not only sell on-site but also ship to various provinces.
Beyond expressing frustration over being unfairly implicated, the small traders on Chua Hang Street also hope consumers will have an objective and fair view, not affecting the local specialty—a product of decades of dedication by the locals.
Lighthouse pâté vendors on Chua Hang Street
Some customers buying pâté and baguettes at the shops
Breaking: Nearly 14,000 Boxes of ‘Streetlight Pate’ Made from Diseased Pork Destroyed
The Hai Phong City Police, in collaboration with the city’s inter-agency task force, recently conducted a large-scale operation to destroy nearly 14,000 cans of contaminated “streetlight pâté.” These products, manufactured by Ha Long Canned Food Joint Stock Company, were found to be made from pork infected with African swine fever. The tainted meat had been illicitly stored in cold storage facilities before being intercepted by authorities.
Highlands Coffee Representative: Chain Does Not Use Canned Pork Products from Ha Long
In a press release issued on the afternoon of January 9th, the media representative of Highlands Coffee Joint Stock Company (Highlands Coffee) confirmed that the company does not use any processed pork products from Halong Canfoco Joint Stock Company (Halong Canfoco, HNX: CAN) across its entire system.
HaLong CanFoco Canned Goods Vanish from Shelves Amidst Tainted Meat Scandal
Amidst the controversy surrounding 130 tons of pork contaminated with African swine fever found in four warehouses of HaLong CanFoco (Công ty CP đồ hộp Hạ Long), major supermarkets in Hai Phong City have notably removed all canned products from the company from their shelves.
Halong Can Reverses Profits, Set to Build New Factory
Halong Canned Food reports a post-tax profit of over 11 billion VND in the first 9 months of 2025. The company is set to construct a new factory with a total investment of 166 billion VND.
Halong Canned Food Company Addresses Reports on Contaminated Pork
Halong Canned Food Joint Stock Company ensures that as a responsible entity, we meticulously accept raw materials based on comprehensive documentation and quality certifications. Our suppliers provide complete, valid, and state-authorized records, adhering strictly to regulatory standards for hygiene and quality assurance.
