Authorities in Quang Nam Province, central Vietnam on Monday rectified false information that was fabricated from an old photo and caused people to mistakenly think that a local school provided lunch boxes with rat meat for students.

The People’s Committee of Nam Giang District in Quang Nam managed to determine that the viral photo of a lunch box with rat meat was taken in December 2019 at Thanh My Kindergarten in the district’s mountainous Thanh My Town.

During a traditional food festival held by the kindergarten at that time, a parent treated participants to a lunch box containing rice and wild rat meat -- a popular dish of the local people.

A teacher took a photo of the lunch box and recently shared it with a chat group, from where the picture was widely spread and misinterpreted as proof of Thanh My Kindergarten giving students nutrient-poor food.

A Viet Son, chairman of Nam Giang District, stated that local authorities always attach great importance to students’ nutrition and meals.

“There is no such thing as a school or a parent giving meals with rat meat like the one circulated online,” Son affirmed.

On the other hand, he said that wild rat meat is a dish familiar to residents of Nam Giang and is often available at local parties.

Therefore, eating rat meat during meals is a common practice, according to Son.

The chairman added that local police officers are investigating the case to handle related individuals and groups.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!