More than 15,700 establishments violated food safety
On January 10, at the conference summarizing food safety management work in 2024 and key directions and tasks in 2025, Ms. Pham Khanh Phong Lan - Director of the Department of Food Safety of Ho Chi Minh City said that in 2024, the unit will inspect and record 15,769 food production and trading establishments and food service businesses (an increase of 10.4% over the same period in 2023).
The unit handled administrative violations against 64 establishments with a total fine of VND 812,211,500; confiscated 102kg of pork; forced to destroy cakes, bottled coffee, fruits, 230 food packages, 1,533kg of various foods...
Since the beginning of 2024, there have been 5 incidents related to food poisoning in the city. The rate of food poisoning cases is 0.14/100,000 people.
The Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Food Safety stated that the inspection work has rectified and strictly handled violating establishments. It has promptly detected and prevented unsafe products from reaching consumers.
However, the unit still faces some difficulties such as lack of regulations on food business management on e-commerce sites and social networks; existence of illegal businesses such as street vendors, spontaneous trading, encroachment on sidewalks; business entities dealing with inspection teams when inspected....
No food poisoning
Regarding the direction of activities in 2025, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Food Safety will strengthen inspection, examination, supervision and prevention of food poisoning for food production, business and service establishments; focus on inspection and handling of food production, processing and business establishments, food service establishments...
At the conference, Ms. Tran Thi Dieu Thuy - Vice Chairwoman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee directed the Department of Food Safety of Ho Chi Minh City to strengthen food safety for people in the city, trying to prevent food poisoning related problems.
In particular, strengthen inspection and supervision of violations and sources of risk. Strengthen coordination with neighboring provinces and cities in controlling the origin and quality of food entering the city. Strengthen inter-sectoral coordination in ensuring food safety.
In addition, strengthen propaganda about food safety for people. At the same time, encourage people to choose and use safe food with clear origin.
The Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee assessed that the results achieved by the City Food Safety Department in 2024 proved that the establishment and organization of the Department's tasks were correct and necessary for the management system. In the coming time, to maintain the tasks and functions of the Ho Chi Minh City Food Safety Department, the joint efforts of the entire system are needed.
Ho Chi Minh City proposes to retain the Department of Food Safety
According to the draft project to streamline the apparatus of the Ho Chi Minh City political system, there is a proposal to allow Ho Chi Minh City to continue implementing the pilot project to establish the Department of Food Safety according to Resolution 98 of the National Assembly.
With experience from the establishment of the Board (in 2017) to its transformation into the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Food Safety, Ms. Pham Khanh Phong Lan - Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Food Safety, commented that this model brings advantages.
"There are still many difficulties in food safety management, and it is not possible to affect all issues. However, there are impacts within reach, how to use the appropriate staff and resources. This contributes to ensuring food safety for the people" - Ms. Phong Lan said.
From the beginning of 2024, Ho Chi Minh City will be the first locality in the country to have a Department of Food Safety, upgraded from the City Food Safety Management Board.
