A Vietnamese newspaper has apologised to its readers for a series of articles now proven to have spread false public concern on the safety of fish sauce.

Thanh Nien newspaper published five fish sauce-related articles between October 10 and 17 which stated that the nation’s fish sauce contained dangerous levels of arsenic.

On Saturday, the Ministry of Health issued an official statement, declaring that all of the fish sauce samples it tested were safe for use.

In an article published on its website on Sunday, Thanh Nien said its editorial board takes responsibility for the errors and appealed for sympathy from its readers in the matter.

– TiVi Tuan-san