Investigators said the Chau Phat facility had produced and sold about 800 tonnes of fresh noodles mixed with prohibited substances over the past three years to enhance colour and texture.
The city’s economic police have charged and remanded Vuong Luong Toan, 44, along with Thach Vinh, 20, and Huynh Cam Lai, 43, on suspicion of violating food safety regulations, according to Ho Chi Minh City police.
The establishment, based in Phu Thanh Ward, was uncovered following surveillance into a suspected illegal noodle production network led by Toan.
During an inspection on December 16, 2025, officers caught workers mixing borax, soda and silicate solutions, chemicals that are banned for use in food production, into noodle batches.
At the investigation office, the alleged ringleader admitted using prohibited additives in noodle production for about a decade.
Authorities said roughly 800 tonnes of chemically treated noodles had entered the market in the past three years alone.
The investigation is being expanded to identify other individuals involved, with authorities vowing strict enforcement to protect public health and uphold food safety regulations.
