Vietnam food agency rejects claims it took bribes to clear Philippine beverages

Green tea C2 sold at a supermarket in Hanoi. Latest tests have found the product is safe. Photo: Ngoc Thang/Thanh Nien

The National Institute for Food Control has rejected accusations that it took bribes and compromised tests on two Philippine beverage products, asking the police to investigate the case. 

“We are willing to cooperate with relevant agencies to find out the motives of those behind these rumors,” said Le Thi Hong Hao, director of the agency, run by the Ministry of Health.

Earlier some posts on social media cited an “insider” accusing two officers from the institute of receiving VND1 billion (US$44,730) from URC Vietnam, a unit of Philippine producer Universal Robina, to modify test results for its green tea C2 and energy drink Rong Do. 

The products were cleared even after they had been found to have higher lead content than the permitted limit of 0.05 mg/l, according to the posts. 

The National Institute for Food Control has confirmed that the products meet safety standards. 

In a separate move, the Vietnam Food Administration (VFA) on May 13 also announced that in 10 random samples of C2 and Rong Do, the levels of lead were all within the normal range.

Nguyen Thanh Phong, VFA director, said health inspectors will check two URC facilities in Vietnam.