A screenshot from a viral video circulating on social media shows hundreds of parents at Trưng Vương Primary School demanding a face-to-face meeting with school leaders over alleged food safety violations. — VNS Photo by Bồ Xuân Hiệp

LÂM ĐỒNG — A primary school principal in the Central Highlands city of Đà Lạt has been suspended amid a growing scandal over contaminated meals served to students, as serious food safety violations at a public school fuel national outrage.

The Xuân Hương Ward People’s Committee on Thursday confirmed the 15-day suspension of Nguyễn Thái Quỳnh Nga, principal of Trưng Vương Primary School, citing her failure to fulfill key responsibilities.

A local official from the ward’s Department of Culture and Social Affairs has been appointed to temporarily lead the school.

The action follows allegations that spoiled and potentially dangerous food was repeatedly served to students, a situation parents say may have gone unchecked for months.

The scandal broke after a former kitchen employee posted a whistleblowing video on social media, alleging that rotten pork, discolored shrimp, and unlabelled frozen beef balls with foul odors were frequently delivered and used in meals for the school’s 720 students.

The post went viral, triggering panic among families. Dozens of parents rushed to the school, pulled their children from lunch programmes, and demanded accountability from school leaders.

In a report to local authorities, the school’s management admitted that concerns about foul-smelling and discoloured meat and seafood had been raised by kitchen staff.

While some food was returned or replaced, administrators continued to serve certain suspect items, including the beef balls, based on assurances from the supplier that they were pre-cooked and frozen.

The school also defended a batch of boiled pork that had changed colour, citing an internal inspection that concluded it was “not abnormal.”

Criminal investigation underway

Facing public backlash, Trưng Vương Primary School suspended all semi-boarding meal services on September 22.

The incident is now under criminal investigation by the Lâm Đồng Provincial Police.

Videos circulating on social media show hundreds of angry parents surrounding the school gates, chanting and demanding to meet directly with administrators. Some parents claimed earlier complaints about food quality were ignored or dismissed.

“This isn’t just bad management, it’s gross negligence that endangered children’s health,” one parent said. “Our trust has been broken.”

National food safety crisis

The incident has reignited national concerns over Việt Nam’s longstanding food safety crisis, especially in schools and public institutions.

Experts point to weak oversight, poor enforcement, and widespread corruption in food procurement and inspection processes.

“Inspectors are underpaid and often complicit. Procurement lacks transparency. Whistleblowers are punished,” said a food safety expert who asked not to be named. “This isn’t just about one school. It’s a broken system.”

With public pressure mounting, parents and health advocates are calling for urgent nationwide audits, independent food inspections, and legal protections for whistleblowers.

“Việt Nam can no longer treat food safety as an afterthought,” the expert added. “This is a national emergency that puts children at risk every day.” — VNS