Couple to go on trial for using borax in ‘cha’ production in Da Nang
Monday, January 20, 2025, 16:59 GMT+7
The Da Nang City People’s Court will begin a trial for a couple for violating food safety regulations on Tuesday as they were accused of using borax in producing cha (Vietnamese meat sausage).
The defendants were identified as Pham Xu Ty, a 41-year-old resident of Thanh Khe District in the central coastal city and his wife Vo Thi Tuyet.
On December 20, 2024, a food safety inspection team from the Da Nang Department of Public Security discovered that a cha production facility owned by Ty was using borax in the meat mixture during production.
The inspectors quickly booked the owner, seizing 518 kilograms of finished cha bo (beef sausage), 97 kilograms of finished cha heo (pork sausage), 90 kilograms of finished pork skin sausage, and 122 kilograms of processed meat, all of which contained borax.
The total value of the seized products was over VND134 million (US$5,300).
The investigation results revealed that due to the large volume of cha produced at the facility, not all of it was sold in time, leading to spoilage and financial losses.
To address this issue, Ty learned on social media how to extend the shelf life of the products.
Through videos showing how to use borax to preserve cha, he and his wife decided to purchase borax to add to cha.
Ty went to Con Market in Da Nang in April last year to buy 10 kilograms of borax for VND300,000 ($11.8).
|
|
| During the inspection, a 'cha' production facility in Da Nang City, central Vietnam was discovered to include borax in its products. Photo: H.B. |
Ty daily sourced meat, including pork, beef, and fat from local vendors, with the volume ranging from 30 to 50 kilograms.
The couple processed the meat, grinding it and then mixing it with fat and spices.
After the meat was finely ground, either Ty or his wife would add borax at a ratio of one teaspoon per 10 kilograms of meat, ensuring the mixture was well-blended.
The mixture was then placed into bags for packaging, with each bag containing 0.5 kilograms.
The finished products were delivered to local vendors who had previously supplied the couple with meat.
The cha was sold directly to customers at the production facility at prices ranging from VND120,000 ($4.7) to VND180,000 ($7.1) per kilogram, depending on the type.
Unsold cha was stored in the freezer for later use.
Authorities confirmed that the couple had illegally used borax, an unauthorized food additive, in cha production.
Like us on Facebook or follow us on X to get the latest news about Vietnam!
