Many supermarkets and grocery stores refund buyers of Ha Long canned products

Four days after news that 130 tons of pork infected with African cholera were discovered in the warehouse of Ha Long Canfoco Joint Stock Company (Halong Canfoco), Ms. Bui Thi Nga’s grocery store in Tran Nguyen Han ward (Hai Phong city) received back six boxes of pate and tuna from customers.

“I refunded the customer 240,000 VND. The manufacturing company has lost its reputation, the retail store cannot be like them,” she said.

Ms. Nguyen Nhung, owner of a grocery store on Van My Street, Ngo Quyen Ward, said that the sales department of Ha Long Canned Food Company sent an official dispatch confirming that their products still meet quality, and have not announced a recall policy. However, retailers proactively stopped selling and accepted returns and refunds to customers first, then negotiated with suppliers.

In Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, most grocery stores accept returns and refunds if the goods are intact and purchased on the same day. Return conditions are more flexible for regular customers.

Large supermarket chains also accept returns and refunds to buyers of Halong Canfoco products, with a clearer process. Bach Hoa Xanh chain accepts returns and refunds to customers within 7 days from the time of purchase. Refundable products must have original stamps, labels, unused, and an invoice or order code for verification.

Recorded at Go! Go Vap (HCMC) on the evening of January 11, supermarket staff said that if customers want to return any Ha Long canned products they have purchased, this unit will receive them back and give them a receipt to exchange for other products.

Winmart also accepts returns for intact products, with no purchase time constraints.

Ms. Nguyen Bich Hoa, General Director of Minh Khai Trading Company, owner of a large supermarket in Hai Phong, said they will refund money if customers return products, but have not recorded any cases of returns.

According to retailers, in order for goods to enter their distribution system, suppliers must fully meet the requirements for legal documents, origin and product quality certification. “We will continue to closely monitor the developments of the case, fully implement the instructions of the authorities and strengthen control measures to ensure quality and food safety for consumers,” said a representative of a retail unit.

Faced with the incident of hundreds of tons of infected pig materials, Halong Canfoco recently announced to stop production for 14 days. Previously, Mr. Truong Sy Toan, General Director, and three other employees of the company were also arrested to serve the investigation.

Halong Canfoco was established in 1957 in Hai Phong, with the original name Ha Long Canned Fish Factory, currently has 3 factories in Ha Long, Da Nang and Dong Thap. They produce sausages, spring rolls, meat, fish, pate, and canned vegetables. The factory in Hai Phong alone has a production capacity of nearly 1,200 tons of canned meat, more than 2,200 tons of sausages, nearly 500 tons of lotus seeds and 400 tons of canned fruits and vegetables each year.