University of Hue students’ group meal suspected of containing cockroaches, maggots, and worms: Catering facility apologizes

On the evening of May 20, the Office of the Health Department of Hue City reported that the unit had sent a document to the Hue City People’s Committee reporting on the incident where boarding students at the Center for National Defense and Security Education (Hue University) complained that meals at the center contained cockroaches, maggots, and worms.

According to the report, after the media and social networks raised the issue, the Health Department established an inspection team to work at the Center for National Defense and Security Education in Phu Bai ward.

The complaints were that food in the group meals for boarding students included “fish sauce with cockroaches,” “fish cake with maggots,” and “vegetable soup with worms.”

Through on-site inspection, the kitchen at the center is managed by the Hanoi branch of Loc Gia Construction Investment Trading Joint Stock Company. This unit has all the necessary permits to ensure food safety and hygiene.

The staff directly involved in food preparation have been trained in food safety knowledge and have been certified by the unit’s management.

However, at the time of inspection, this unit was not complying with legal regulations regarding food sample retention. The Hue City Health Department stated that it will proceed with administrative violation procedures regarding food safety as stipulated by law.

Regarding the student complaints, Loc Gia Company stated that the facility did not receive any direct complaints from students concerning issues like “fish sauce with cockroaches” or “fish cake with maggots.” The unit said it only became aware of the information through posts and images on social networks and media outlets.

During the meeting, Loc Gia Company acknowledged that the report of “vegetable soup with worms” was true. The unit’s representative apologized to all students and pledged to take corrective measures to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future during a dialogue with students on the morning of May 15.

During the inspection, the kitchen had retained a sample of the fish cake from the lunch meal on May 14. Examination of the fish cake sample (retained sample) revealed no abnormalities. Regarding the report of “fish sauce with cockroaches,” the inspection team stated that there was insufficient evidence to draw a conclusion.

The representative of the Hue City Health Department also thanked the students and media for their reports, which allowed the Health Department to continue directing and inspecting food service establishments and group kitchens in the Hue City area.

The Thanh Hoa Department of Education and Training reported that on May 19, it received a report from To Hien Thanh High School regarding the review and handling of responsibilities of officials and teachers involved in a grade-fixing incident that occurred at the school.