Police in Hung Yen said they had launched criminal proceedings against a 54-year-old owner of a bean sprout production facility in Nhu Quynh Commune for alleged food safety violations.
The prosecution has been approved by local prosecutors in accordance with Vietnamese law.
Authorities discovered the alleged offence during an inspection of the facility in Hanh Lac Village, where a large quantity of bean sprouts was being harvested. A plastic container containing a white liquid was also found at the site.
Investigators determined that between May 23 and May 26, the facility used 6-benzylaminopurine, a substance not permitted for use in food production in Vietnam, to stimulate the growth of bean sprouts before selling them on the market.
Police said the banned chemical was used in the production of 793.383 kilogrammes of bean sprouts, with an estimated value of more than 11.9 million Vietnamese dong (about $455).
The case is under further investigation.
