The Food Safety Department (Ministry of Health) requests localities to strengthen inspections of establishments producing and trading Mid-Autumn cakes, confectionery, soft drinks and traditional foods, and at the same time proactively develop response plans when food poisoning occurs.
The Department has just requested the Departments of Health of provinces and centrally-run cities and the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Food Safety to strengthen food safety measures during the 2026 Mid-Autumn Festival.
According to the Food Safety Department, during the Mid-Autumn Festival, the demand for consumption of food, cakes, candies and soft drinks is often high. This is also a time of potential food safety risks if the production, business, preservation and use of food are not strictly controlled.
Focus on checking Mid-Autumn cakes and confectionery
The Food Safety Department requests localities to coordinate with the Departments of Industry and Trade, Agriculture and Environment to strengthen inspection of compliance with legal regulations on food safety at food production, processing and business establishments.
Priority inspection groups include establishments producing and trading in Mid-Autumn cakes, confectionery, and soft drinks; traditional food production establishments in craft villages; small-scale establishments; establishments providing food services and street food.
During the inspection process, functional agencies must promptly trace and recall products that do not ensure food safety, and at the same time strictly handle violations.
The Food Safety Department requests public disclosure of the name of the establishment, address and type of violating product on mass media as prescribed. In case criminal signs are detected, functional agencies are requested to transfer the file to the police agency for handling.
Recommend people to check the origin of mooncakes
In addition to inspection activities, the Food Safety Department requests localities to coordinate with media agencies to promote propaganda and education on food safety during the Mid-Autumn Festival.
For food production and business establishments, management agencies emphasize the requirement to comply with regulations on establishment conditions, equipment, tools and knowledge, practice of people directly involved in production.
Establishments must also control the origin of raw materials, comply with regulations on registration of declarations, self-declaration of products; use colorings, flavorings, and food additives in accordance with regulations; ensure requirements on packaging and product labeling.
For consumers, the Food Safety Department recommends that they choose food with full labels, clear origins. People need to pay attention to the storage conditions and shelf life of products, especially for mooncakes and foods with a short shelf life.
The management agency also reminds people not to use food additives outside the permitted list, not to use them to the wrong objects or exceed the prescribed dosage.
Preparing food poisoning response plans
Along with prevention work, the Food Safety Department requests health units in the area to prepare plans, standing forces, vehicles, supplies and chemicals to be ready for emergency care and treatment when food poisoning occurs.
When poisoning occurs, the health sector must organize investigations, determine the causes and implement preventive measures to prevent the risk of food poisoning and foodborne diseases.
