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Unsafe livestock oil found in Vietnam’s food supply

Escrito por: Valerie Nguyen

Content available at: Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)

A food safety scandal is unfolding in Vietnam, as tens of thousands of low-grade livestock cooking oil meant solely for animal feed have been illegally repackaged and sold for human consumption.

This tainted oil has made its way into industrial kitchens, restaurants, and food manufacturing facilities.

In response, the Vietnam Food Administration under the Ministry of Health issued a strong warning. They said that this a serious food safety violation and a danger to public health.

What is livestock cooking oil?

According to Dr Bui Hoang Bich Uyen, a specialist at the Nutrition Department of Xuyen A General Hospital (Ho Chi Minh City), livestock cooking oil is a crude, unrefined vegetable oil. It used to provide energy in animal feed and is deemed unsafe for humans.

This oil may contain impurities:

There are clear differences in quality standards, intended use, and safety between oil for livestock and oil for human consumption. These differences arise from differing biological systems and toxin tolerance of animals and humans.

Livestock cooking oil may contain impurities, heavy metals, pesticide residues, or toxic oxidized compounds. Photo: Vietnam.vn.

Health risks of livestock oil 

Using this type of oil in human food can cause serious health problems, including:

Why is it being used in food?

The main reason is cost. Livestock oil is much cheaper than food-grade oil. This price difference creates an incentive for unethical suppliers or manufacturers to mix or substitute it in large-scale food processing operations.

These practices are most likely to occur in canteens, low-cost eateries, and ready-to-eat meal providers, especially in industrial zones where high consumption makes cost-cutting more tempting and oversight more challenging.

What can be done?

The Vietnam Food Administration recommends:

Livestock cooking oil is not safe for human consumption, and its misuse poses significant health risks. Consumers must remain vigilant, while food businesses must strictly follow ethical standards and safety regulations.

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