Ho Chi Minh City detects and destroys numerous batches of livestock and poultry meat contaminated with banned substances and diseases
HCMC authorities have destroyed nearly 50 tons of substandard animal products, highlighting significant risks to public food safety.
On August 18, 2026, at the seminar "Journey for Millions of Safe Meals," the HCMC Sub-Department of Animal Health and Husbandry expressed deep concern regarding the presence of tainted food in the market. With a daily consumption demand exceeding 657 tons of red meat and 201 tons of poultry, the city faces significant challenges in controlling supplies originating from outside provinces.
Mr. Nguyen Huu Thiet, Deputy Head of the HCMC Sub-Department of Animal Health and Husbandry, stated that since March 2026, interdisciplinary inspection teams have addressed 61 violations, issuing fines totaling nearly 440 million VND. Notably, authorities have destroyed nearly 50 tons of animals and animal products that failed to meet veterinary hygiene standards.
Among the destroyed shipments, three batches totaling 280 pigs tested positive for banned growth-promoting substances. In particular, one batch of 80 pigs was found positive for the African Swine Fever virus. The total weight of the confiscated and destroyed pigs reached 35,350kg.
Veterinary leaders emphasized that ensuring food safety requires a multi-layered approach. The first layer begins at the farm level, requiring strict husbandry protocols. The second involves the oversight of transportation and slaughter, while the third focuses on controlling distribution and retail channels.
Experts highlighted that consumers serve as a critical link in identifying and reporting unsafe products. Simultaneously, there is an urgent need to trace the root sources of banned substances and diseased livestock from neighboring provinces to resolve the issue effectively, rather than relying solely on end-of-chain enforcement.