According to the Domestic Market Management and Development Department (Ministry of Industry and Trade), the Hanoi Market Management Sub-Department, in collaboration with the Police, conducted a surprise inspection at the production facility of Hida Food Joint Stock Company (Den Village, Hoai Duc District, Hanoi).
During the inspection, authorities caught employees injecting essence by-products into meat to create marbling, transforming buffalo meat into beef labeled as Hidasan.
Initial investigations revealed that, exploiting consumers’ preference for high-grade marbled beef, particularly Japanese-style Wagyu, the perpetrators conspired to produce counterfeit goods. Ms. N.T.P.T, CEO of Hida Company, purchased low-quality buffalo meat imported from India at approximately VND 120,000/kg. The meat was then injected with by-products to create marbling, packaged, and labeled as beef.
Exploiting consumers’ preference for high-grade marbled beef, particularly Japanese-style Wagyu, the perpetrators conspired to produce counterfeit goods.
These products were sold on the market at prices ranging from VND 400,000 to 600,000/kg, significantly higher than the original cost. Preliminary verification indicates that from May 2024 to date, the perpetrators have produced and distributed approximately 14 tons of buffalo meat disguised as beef. Large quantities of this counterfeit meat have been distributed to major cities nationwide, including Hanoi, Da Nang, Nha Trang, and Ho Chi Minh City.
During the search at production sites and warehouses, authorities seized a total of 65 tons of meat (including buffalo meat and processed counterfeit beef) along with all machinery used for processing. Notably, investigators also seized 17 tons of essence powder used to inject into buffalo meat to create marbling, deceiving consumers.
Test results from the National Institute of Testing and Inspection showed that 24 out of 29 beef samples collected from the company contained buffalo DNA. Currently, investigators are further testing the 17 tons of essence powder to determine if it contains any harmful toxins.
“The Fake Wagyu Empire” Registers Unrelated Business Lines, Increases Charter Capital Just Before Inspection
Previously, according to Dan Viet, Hida Food Joint Stock Company was established in February 2022 in Co Nhue 1 Ward, Bac Tu Liem District, Hanoi (old address).
Despite being identified as a food company, Hida also registered several unrelated business lines, such as installing water supply, drainage, heating, and air conditioning systems; real estate brokerage consulting; collecting hazardous waste; and recycling scrap materials.
The primary business line registered upon establishment was the production and trading of functional foods and special foods (as permitted by the state).
The company was founded with a charter capital of VND 20 billion and four contributing members. The largest shareholder was Nguyen Thi Thanh Tam with 47.5%; followed by two shareholders, Hoang Diep and Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao, each contributing 15%; the remaining 12.5% belonged to Tran Van Lam. At that time, the company representative was CEO Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao.
In August 2022, the company relocated its headquarters to Di Trach Commune, Hoai Duc District, Hanoi. One week before the inspection by authorities, on September 12, 2025, Hida Food Joint Stock Company increased its charter capital to VND 21 billion.
Regarding SK Foods Vietnam Import-Export Limited Liability Company, the company was established in November 2022 in Thanh Khe District, Da Nang. Initially, the company was owned by Tran Hoang Phuoc with a charter capital of VND 9 billion. According to the change registration issued by the Da Nang Business Registration Office on September 5, 2025, the company’s two shareholders are Mr. Tran Hoang Phuoc, holding 70% ownership, and Ms. Tran Thi Hong Vi, holding the remaining 30%.
In addition to his role at SK Foods, Tran Hoang Phuoc also appeared in the shareholder structure of ISHIGA Food Production Company Limited in Ho Chi Minh City. Mr. Phuoc served as the Director of ISHIGA Food (when the company was formerly known as Beauty Care Trading and Service Company Limited). At the time of his capital contribution in early 2018, Mr. Phuoc held a 40% ownership stake. However, since the update in May 2018, Mr. Phuoc no longer appears in the list of shareholders.
