Many health experts have expressed the concern that eating too much pork may be unhealthy. They also expressed doubts about the quality of pork in Vietnam.

A woman buys meat in a supermarket in HCM City

Pork prices dropped drastically low in April, causing a huge loss to the local farmers. Promotional programmes have been organised to encourage people to buy as much pork as possible.

A local in HCM City said when his university called for support for farmers, his family ate pork daily. Three weeks later, he gained 3kg and felt sick just by looking at pork. Another local in HCM City said most of her family members did not like eating vegetables so she bought pork or beef daily.

The Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry reported that Vietnam will consume more than four million tonnes of meat in 2019, 65% of which is pork.

A survey on cholesterol level in adults conducted by the National Institute of Nutrition showed that 44.3% of urban dwellers have high cholesterol level while the rate in rural and mountainous areas was only 29%. Regular pork eaters are at more risk of high blood pressure or atherosclerosis. It is only discovered via blood tests or when their health worsens.

HCM City Nutrition Centre also conducted a survey on obesity and high blood pressure with 11,072 random pupils from 30 schools in the city. 41.4% were overweight and 19% obese. It also revealed that consumption of pork is related to obesity and high blood pressure.

Moreover, the quality of pork is being questioned after various unhygienic food cases. It was recently discovered that 3,750 pigs in HCM City were sedated before being killed and there were concerns such drugs could be passed down the food chain. There were also concerns about overly-high levels of antibiotics in pork.

Dr Lam Vinh Nien at the University Medical Centre HCMC confirmed that pork provided protein and many vitamins, however, eating too much pork could lead to colon cancer. Nutritionists also advised eating more beans to prevent cancer and high cholesterol level and that people need at least 400 grams of fruits and vegetables each day.

dtinews