The Ministry of Health has requested departments of health across the nation to launch health and safety inspections on the production and trading of animal fat.

Ha Noi Police seized the dangerous fat late last month. (Photo: VNN)

The move follows growing public concern at the threat posed by animal fat of unknown origins to consumers. The latest case involved three tonnes of spoiled fat that was set for use to make cakes. Ha Noi Police seized the dangerous fat late last month.

Khan said his office was co-operating with localities to ensure better supervision of businesses that make animal fat.

He said that supervising animal fat production across the country was difficult. Animal fat is usually sourced from abattoirs, and there are large numbers of small abattoirs across the country that do not meet cooking safety standards.

Khan said animal fat was widely used in baked goods in Viet Nam.

“It’s a habit that will be difficult to change,” he said.

Phan Thi Bich Nga, a doctor at the National Nutrition Institute, said hygienically-produced animal fat was a useful part of the average person’s daily diet, as it contained cholesterol which is vital in the formation of cell structures.

However, unsafe animal fat, if consumed, can lead to food poisoning, including symptoms such suffocation, diarrhoea and heart problems. In the long term, it can also lead to diseases of the digestive system.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News