A Vietnamese restaurant in south London has been closed after dog meat was allegedly discovered in its freezer. Pho Na, located on Old Kent Road in Southwark, was inspected by environmental health officers who found suspicious meat labelled as 'goat wrapped in leaves'. Subsequent analysis confirmed the meat was dog meat.
Inspectors also reported finding mice droppings and cockroaches inside the premises. The restaurant's owner, Vuong Quoc Nguyen, 47, appeared at Bromley Magistrates' Court on Tuesday to deny multiple food safety and hygiene offences.
Defence solicitor Piers Kiss-Wilson argued that his client was unaware the meat was dog meat, claiming it had been supplied by another person. He added that the meat was never intended for sale and that pest control had been hired to address the infestation.
Lewisham Council stated: 'Following a failed food safety inspection at the former local business Pho Na, Lewisham Council commenced prosecution action in relation to food hygiene offences in 2023. The Council did not order the closure of the business, which was subsequently sold independently.' The council declined further comment due to ongoing legal proceedings.
