Ho Chi Minh City police arrest Pham Tuan Thanh and his wife Nguyen Thi My Phung for allegedly producing and distributing more than 2,800 metric tons of noodles containing banned chemicals. Photo: Ho Chi Minh City Department of Public Security
Investigators on Sunday said Nguyen Thi My Phung and her husband Pham Tuan Thanh, both aged 44 and residing in Tan Tao Ward, were detained and charged with violating food safety regulations after authorities uncovered their long-running operation.
During a police raid on April 16, officers seized nearly 700 kilograms of fresh noodles; 10.2 kilograms of borax; 27 plastic cans of sodium silicate, commonly known as ‘liquid glass,’ an industrial chemical; 10 liters of yellow liquid; and various production tools.
A noodle-making facility run by Pham Tuan Thanh and his wife Nguyen Thi My Phung in Tan Tao Ward, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Ho Chi Minh City Department of Public Security
According to police, the couple had been manufacturing noodles since 2014, mixing in borax and sodium silicate, which are prohibited in food due to their toxic effects, to improve texture, prevent breakage, and extend shelf life from several hours to up to two days.
Finished noodles (L) and a chemical mixing area (R) at a noodle-making facility run by Pham Tuan Thanh and his wife Nguyen Thi My Phung in Tan Tao Ward, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Ho Chi Minh City Department of Public Security
Authorities estimate that over 2,800 metric tons of contaminated noodles have been produced and sold since 2014.
Police are expanding the investigation to identify distributors and other individuals involved in selling the products.
