Vietnamese Restaurant Shut After Dog Meat Found in Freezer
A popular Vietnamese restaurant in south London has been closed after inspectors discovered dog meat stored in its freezer, sparking outrage among customers and the wider community.
Pho Na, located on Old Kent Road in Southwark, had previously enjoyed a strong reputation, boasting an impressive 4.6-star online rating. But its image was shattered when environmental health officers visited the premises and uncovered a string of shocking hygiene breaches.
According to Southwark Council, the inspection revealed meat in the freezer labelled as “goat wrapped in leaves” which, after laboratory testing, was confirmed to be dog. The discovery immediately raised serious legal and ethical concerns, as the sale or consumption of dog meat is illegal in the UK under animal welfare laws.
Alongside the banned meat, officers reported multiple hygiene violations. Mouse droppings were found throughout the premises, while both live and dead cockroaches were seen in the kitchen and storage areas. The council described the conditions as posing “a clear risk to public health.”
Restaurant owner Vuong Quoc Nguyen has pleaded not guilty to several food safety and hygiene charges. His solicitor told the court that Nguyen was unaware the meat was dog, insisting it had been purchased in good faith from a supplier. The case is expected to be heard later this year.
Local residents and former customers expressed shock at the news, with many taking to social media to share their disgust. “I used to eat here all the time. I can’t believe something like this was going on,” wrote one regular patron on Facebook.
Southwark Council confirmed that Pho Na has been issued with a prohibition notice and cannot reopen until it meets strict safety standards and the court case is resolved. “This is one of the most serious breaches of food safety we have dealt with,” a spokesperson said. “The presence of dog meat in a food business in the UK is entirely unacceptable.”
The incident has also sparked wider discussion about the need for rigorous supply chain checks in the restaurant industry, particularly for imported meat products. Food safety experts say the case underlines the importance of regular inspections and strict enforcement to protect consumers.
For now, Pho Na’s once-bustling dining room remains closed, leaving a cautionary reminder of what can happen when trust between a food business and its customers is broken.
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