European-standard refrigeration system at Tay Ninh’s poultry slaughterhouse

Standardizing slaughtering with European technology

When it comes to disease prevention and control, the slaughtering stage plays a pivotal role, often referred to as the “final gateway,” preventing pathogens from entering the livestock chain. Amid the complex situation of avian influenza, Thanh Bao Han poultry slaughterhouse continues to maintain stable operations thanks to scientific procedures and advanced technology.

Thanh Bao Han Co., Ltd. constructed its poultry slaughterhouse in Tan Ninh ward, Tay Ninh province, isolated from residential areas. This location enables large-scale industrial operations and functions as a natural barrier against disease transmission.

With a capacity of up to 12,000 birds daily, the facility employs a closed model featuring comprehensive refrigeration and high-level automation, all in line with European standards. This ensures that slaughtering and processing occur in a cold, enclosed environment.

The process includes multiple stages which require high precision: humane stunning, bleeding - scalding - feather removal, organ processing - cleaning, chilling - hanging to drain, followed by cutting - packaging and cold storage.

At each step, products are isolated using gloves and packages in specialized partitions to preserve freshness and minimize microbial intrusion. The finished products retain their natural color, elasticity, and characteristic flavor, while meeting export standards.

Nguyen Thi Thanh Thuy, head of quality management at Thanh Bao Han Company, said all stages are performed in separate specialized areas, operating in a one-way process to eliminate the risk of cross-contamination. In addition, all employees directly involved in production must disinfect, wear full protective clothing, and pass through control gates before entering the processing area.

“We carry out slaughtering without contact with the ground, as it is a mandatory requirement to ensure absolute hygiene for the products. This method also prevents any external environmental factors from affecting the food, which is our top priority,” Thuy said.

Controlling disease from the “root”

According to Bui Xuan Thanh, Director of Thanh Bao Han Co., Ltd., alongside modern slaughtering processes, input monitoring is also strictly managed. This is a key step to ensure disease safety and protect public health.

As for the input, the main source is white-feathered chickens from contract local farms and smallholders where the selection is strictly controlled from breeding stock, feed, vaccines, to housing conditions, all meeting VietGAP standards. The quality is thus consistent, stable, and ensures disease control from the “root.”

Every shipment to the company must come with disease-free certification and is carefully inspected by local veterinary officers working directly with the slaughterhouse’s team. If any suspicion arises, slaughtering will be halted immediately per safety measurement.

To cope with market fluctuations, Thanh Bao Han has also invested in a two-tier cold storage system: chilled storage for fresh meat served within the province, and frozen storage for pre-ordered frozen products. This helps reduce risks while maintaining quality.

“The mission of Thanh Bao Han is to secure output for farmers’ products, helping them save costs, increase productivity, and stabilize income. At the same time, we bring consumers clean, traceable food,” Thanh emphasized.

Amid persistent disease threats, Thanh Bao Han poultry slaughterhouse is not only keeping each batch of products clean but also contributing to protecting the entire food supply chain, where every meal is not just about nutritional value but also consumer trust.

Recent information from the Sub-Department of Agriculture (Tay Ninh Department of Agriculture and Environment) shows that assessment and re-assessment of disease-safety facilities is carried out regularly in accordance with the plan and close to the actual needs of farmers. This ensures that farms maintain good hygiene and biosecurity conditions, meeting disease prevention standards as per regulations.

The whole province currently has 92 facilities that have been granted disease-safety certificates. Among them, 73 poultry farms have been qualified for disease-safety certifications. To be more specific, 44 chicken farms are certified for H5N1 and Newcastle avian influenza free, and 24 chicken farms and 5 duck farms are certified for H5N1 avian influenza free.