Vietnam orders food probe after formaldehyde scare
HANOI - Vietnam's health ministry has
ordered an inspection of food processing firms nationwide after
formaldehyde was discovered in noodles used to make
traditional soup, official media reported on Wednesday.
Blanket media coverage of the formaldehyde scare has emptied
eateries that sell the rice-based noodle soup known as pho,
which is especially popular in Vietnam's north.
Pho is normally enriched with chicken, beef or pork and the
formaldehyde is used to enhance flavour.
Formaldehyde is also used to preserve dead bodies, and
officials have said sustained consumption of products tainted
with the chemical could lead to cancer.
The Lao Dong (Labour) newspaper said Health Vice Minister
Le Van Truyen had ordered the inspection to be carried out by
local health authorities in coordination with police across the
country this month.
It said formaldehyde had been found first in noodles served up in
Hanoi, then other provinces and that those who violate hygiene
standards would be fined and have their shops closed.
The Quan Doi Nhan Dan (People's Army) newspaper said
formaldehyde had been smuggled into Vietnam and sold widely
for as cheap as 5,000 dong (0.36 U.S. cents) a litre.
Health Ministry officials were not immediately available to
comment.
Reuters - January 5, 2000.
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