The Ho Chi Minh City Food Safety Management Board has issued an urgent food safety warning to the entire education system, after reports that Sago Food -formally known as An Phuoc Thang Trading Co., Ltd. - allegedly supplied expired meat to several schools.

In coordination with the HCMC Police and the Market Surveillance Agency, authorities have expanded investigations into Sago Food, located in Hiep Phuoc Commune. Nine companies supplying ingredients to Sago Food are now also under scrutiny, while 12 schools have been instructed to suspend all semi-boarding lunch services involving the company's products.

The food safety agency emphasized the need for schools to urgently review their food sourcing, tighten import and preparation procedures, and reinforce food sampling protocols to ensure student safety.

The case came to light on January 28, when allegations emerged that Sago Food had used expired meat in its meal prep for schools. The news swiftly sparked widespread concern among parents, raising alarms over the safety of daily school lunches.

Several schools across the city -including Tan Quy Primary School (Tan Hung Ward), Nguyen Van Huong Primary School (Phu Thuan Ward), Nguyen Van Tao Primary School (Hiep Phuoc Ward), Dinh Bo Linh Primary School (Xom Chieu Ward), Huynh Tan Phat Secondary School (Tan Thuan Ward), Khanh Binh Secondary School (Chanh Hung Ward), Pham Huu Lau Secondary School (Tan My Ward), and Hoa Hong Kindergarten (Phu Thuan Ward) -have either suspended lunch services or terminated contracts with Sago Food.

At Tan Quy Primary School, the impact was immediately visible. On January 30, around 10:30 a.m., most students were picked up by their parents to go home for lunch, instead of staying at school as usual. They returned in the afternoon for regular classes.

“I’m deeply upset,” said Thanh Mai, a parent at Tan Quy Primary. “We entrust schools to care for our children and give them the best, not expose them to expired food.”

Though her child does not participate in the school lunch program, Mai expressed concern for others. “This has always been a worry. I hope the authorities investigate thoroughly and that schools start screening meal providers more seriously, with strict daily checks.”

Another parent, Thanh, said her child had long complained about the poor quality of meals, especially the meat. “My daughter often said the food was salty and unappetizing. She’d only eat the soup,” she shared. “From January 29, I decided to take her home for lunch.”

Huu Tuan, also a parent, expressed similar frustration. “We used to think our child was just picky, but now it all makes sense. I had to rearrange my work schedule just to bring him home for lunch.”

In response to the growing scandal, the HCMC Department of Education and Training has directed all educational institutions to immediately suspend any collaboration with industrial or pre-prepared meal providers involved in this incident.

Schools are now required to verify all complaints, rectify any lapses, and refrain from resuming such services until official conclusions are issued by competent authorities.

Additionally, schools must report to the department and local authorities with both digital and physical documentation, detailing all aspects of their lunch service arrangements. These include provider names, tax IDs, contact details, number of meals, delivery times, and meal types.

In the interim, schools are expected to develop temporary plans to manage lunch services safely and effectively.

The education department has also mandated a comprehensive review of all food supply procedures at schools, calling for stronger routine and surprise inspections. Institutions must rigorously check not only legal documents but also monitor every step in food supply chains -from procurement to preparation -to prevent future violations.

Phuoc Sang