Banana flower processing facility in Da Nang discovered using bleaching chemicals

tẩy trắng - Ảnh 1. — The number of banana blossoms and bleaching powder found at the facility - Photo: Provided by the police.

Following the directives of the Director of the Da Nang City Police and the People's Committee of Dien Ban Ward regarding strengthening inspections and handling violations in the field of food production, processing, and trading, the Dien Ban Ward Police have regularly reviewed and monitored the situation in the area.

The police task force of the ward recently inspected a food processing facility in Block 4, Dien Ban Ward, Da Nang City.

At the scene, authorities discovered that the facility was processing banana blossoms and showed signs of using chemicals to bleach them before distributing them to the market.

The owner of the establishment, Ms. TTM (47 years old, residing in Hai Chau ward, Da Nang city), could not present a business registration certificate or a certificate of food safety and hygiene compliance.

Authorities seized 1.41 kg of unlabeled white powder (which Ms. M. claimed was meta-chemical used to bleach banana blossoms), 3 bottles of chemical solution used to soak banana blossoms, and 7.4 kg of banana blossoms that had been treated with chemicals.

Initially, Ms. M. admitted to using the substance to soak banana blossoms overnight.

tẩy trắng - Ảnh 2. — Police inspect Ms. M.'s banana flower processing facility. - Photo: Provided by the police.

The forensic examination results from the Institute of Criminal Science in Da Nang City determined that the chemical used by Ms. M. was Sodium Metabisulfite, a type of additive that can be used in food, but if misused or exceeded the permitted limit, it will harm the health of consumers.

The Dien Ban Ward Police are continuing to request expert analysis of the chemical content in the processed banana blossoms in order to handle the case in accordance with the law.

According to the city police, the incident serves as a stern warning about the reality that some establishments, driven by profit, disregard public health and use chemicals to "alter" food, deceiving consumers.

If sodium metabisulfite is used in excess of the prescribed amount, users may experience symptoms such as respiratory irritation, digestive disorders, and in the long term, it may even pose a risk of cancer and other chronic diseases.