July 30, 2026
 

Vietnam authorities to destroy 201 pigs seized on route from Dong Nai to Ho Chi Minh City after Salbutamol found

The Ho Chi Minh City Sub-Department of Livestock and Veterinary Medicine is completing case files for transfer to police after rapid tests confirmed the banned growth-promoting substance in two consignments carrying valid quarantine certificates.

Ho Chi Minh City authorities are proceeding to destroy 201 pigs that tested positive for Salbutamol, a banned beta-agonist substance, after they were intercepted on 26 July 2026 while being transported from Dong Nai to Ho Chi Minh City for slaughter.

The consignments were stopped during a joint road inspection by the Rach Chiec Traffic Police Team (PC08) and the city's quarantine force, which checked 15 vehicles carrying livestock, poultry and frozen food. Two trucks - carrying 86 and 115 pigs respectively - were flagged and subjected to rapid testing, with both batches returning positive results for Salbutamol. The pigs were escorted to a holding facility in Cu Chi district and transferred to the Thu Duc Quarantine Centre for further investigation.

Both drivers presented quarantine certificates issued by the Dong Nai City Sub-Department of Livestock and Aquaculture on the same day as the interception, along with supporting documentation on livestock origin. Despite the certificates, rapid field testing confirmed the presence of the banned substance. The Ho Chi Minh City Sub-Department of Livestock and Veterinary Medicine said it is completing dossiers for transfer to the police for criminal investigation while simultaneously proceeding with destruction of the affected animals.

Salbutamol is a beta-agonist drug banned from use in livestock production in Vietnam. Its use as a growth promoter in pigs can leave residues in meat that pose risks to human health, including cardiovascular effects in consumers. The case highlights ongoing challenges in enforcement along Vietnam's live pig supply chain, particularly on routes from major producing provinces such as Dong Nai to the Ho Chi Minh City slaughter and distribution network.

- Lao Dong