Nguyen Ninh, a facility producing banh com (green rice cake) – a specialty well-liked by Hanoi locals and visitors, has been suspended due to food safety violations.
An inspection on Thursday afternoon found that the facility, located at 11 Hang Than Street, Ba Dinh District, was producing rice cakes in a home kitchen without proper separation from other areas and using tools that were filthy due to a lack of regular cleaning.
The washroom was located right next to the production area, where the inspection team also found insects and animal feces.
 |
The inspection team at the Nguyen Ninh green rice cake facility. Photo by Thu Trang |
The facility failed to present health check certificates or proof of food safety training for its owner and employees. Additionally, the origin of its ingredients, additives, and packaging was unverified, and the product labels did not comply with regulations.
The Hanoi Food Safety and Hygiene Department has ordered the facility to temporarily suspend its operations to make improvements. The Ba Dinh district food safety steering committee will handle the violations and submit a report by next Friday.
The inspection team also took samples of green rice cakes and other products for testing, but results are not yet available.
 |
The facility’s production area fails to meet food safety standards. Photo by Thu Trang |
The inspection is part of the city’s 2025 Tet (Lunar New Year) food safety inspection plan, which focuses on businesses that sell food and products widely consumed during the holiday season.
The Nguyen Ninh brand dates back over 150 years and is popular as a gift purchased by both domestic and international consumers, according to the firm’s website.
Banh com is a local specialty often associated with the autumn season in Hanoi. It features a mild sweetness, the fragrance of com (young green rice), and a filling of mung bean and freshly grated coconut. The art of making the cake has existed in the capital city for hundreds of years.
