Cigarette case causes public uproar: Online market sells at super cheap prices

(Dan Tri) - Frozen pipe intestines were once sold in large quantities on some social networking sites for only about 15,000-25,000 VND/kg. Meanwhile, the fresh type costs about 250,000-300,000 VND/kg.

Recently, a video of a 40m long, 5.8kg long pipe intestine (also known as two-skin intestine) at a restaurant went viral on social media. This video later caused controversy when many people doubted its authenticity, many thought it was just a gimmick to attract customers.

Many people believe that this dish is made from ordinary pig intestines soaked in chemicals that are harmful to health. Many chefs also posted on social media urging people to stop eating this food because pig intestines are often mixed with chemicals to make the dish, then sold at high prices.

According to a survey of some groups specializing in trading frozen goods in large quantities on social networks, the main form of pipe intestines is sold frozen, packaged in boxes weighing about 10kg. This is a familiar form of distribution in the wholesale food industry, serving restaurants, eateries or food processing facilities.

Notably, the wholesale price of frozen cigarette butts is quite cheap, ranging from 150,000 VND to 250,000 VND per 10kg box. Some sources also accept bulk orders and deliver to your door.

Frozen cigarette butts were once sold on social media groups for only 225,000 VND/10kg box (Photo: Screenshot).

Meanwhile, in many restaurants and eateries specializing in offal dishes in Hanoi , pipe intestines are considered a rare and expensive dish. This food is sought after not only because of its characteristic crunchiness but also because of its limited quantity and difficulty in finding on the market.

Therefore, the price of pipe organs sold at these establishments is also high, ranging from 200,000 VND to 350,000 VND per 100 grams, equivalent to a price of 2 million to 3.5 million VND/kg - much higher than that of common organs.

Ms. Minh Hien, a pork trader for more than 20 years in Ha Tinh, said that in slaughterhouses, intestines are quite rare, usually found in old pigs that have been raised for many years, only one every few months or even a year.

"Fresh pork intestines will not be as even and beautiful as the pictures in some restaurants, but will have different thicknesses. Pork intestines are crunchier and tastier than normal pork intestines, and the price is also high, around 250,000-300,000 VND/kg," she said.

While the online community is having many controversial opinions about the pork belly dish of a restaurant, more images have appeared that suspect this food was imported from China.

Accordingly, many people discovered that some e-commerce platforms in China were selling frozen pig intestines at a very cheap price of only about 7 yuan/500 grams, equivalent to 14 yuan/kg (50,000 VND/kg).

A Chinese e-commerce site sells frozen pig intestines for only 7 yuan/500 grams (Photo: Screenshot).

Previously on May 6, in the hallway of the National Assembly, Ms. Pham Khanh Phong Lan, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Food Safety, answered the press about the case of cigarette butts being sold widely on the market, which has caused a stir in public opinion.

According to Ms. Lan, this could be a commercial fraud to increase profits, the inner tube of the cigarette is very rare and hard to find on the market. The Director of the Department of Food Safety of Ho Chi Minh City said that this agency is conducting traceability checks, taking samples to test whether additives are detected or not.

"In fact, this issue (cigarette inner lining) has not received much attention so far. The Department mainly focuses on pork," said Ms. Lan.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/kinh-doanh/vu-long-xe-dieu-gay-xon-xao-du-luan-cho-mang-ban-gia-sieu-re-20250506200306115.htm