On the afternoon of February 4, in Hanoi, the Government Office held a regular Government press conference for January 2026.
At the press conference, reporters raised the reality that in the early days of implementing Decree 46/2026/ND-CP of the Government detailing the implementation of a number of articles and measures to organize and guide the implementation of the Food Safety Law, problems appeared in organizing the implementation of new regulations on state inspection of some imported fresh agricultural products and foods.
The Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long have directed the review and resolution of obstacles. It is requested that leaders of ministries and sectors inform us, so far, what are the results of resolving obstacles related to Decree 46?" - the reporter asked.
Answering this question, Standing Deputy Minister of Health Vu Manh Ha said that after implementing Decree 46, according to reflections from some localities and press agencies, on January 30, there was a situation where many shipments were agricultural products, seafood, and fresh food because units were not ready to organize the implementation of State inspection of food safety for imported food according to Decree 46.
According to Mr. Vu Manh Ha, immediately after receiving information reflected in the mass media, implementing the direction of Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long, the Ministries: Health, Agriculture and Environment, Industry and Trade, Finance... and localities have proactively coordinated closely to have appropriate handling measures and promptly remove obstacles.
The Standing Deputy Minister of Health said that by this afternoon (February 4), under the direction of the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long, ministries had met and reported to seek opinions to make proposals and advise the Government to issue a Resolution guiding the implementation of Decree 46.
For products under the management of the Ministry of Health, when Decree 46 was issued, we did not receive any feedback about any problems with Decree 46, especially food related to the Ministry of Health," said the Standing Committee of the Ministry of Health.
In the telegram dated February 3, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh requested ministries, branches, and localities to focus on removing obstacles to implement Decree 46 guiding the implementation of the Law on Food Safety.
Decree 46 was implemented without detailed guidance and a transition mechanism, causing difficulties for businesses, according to a report by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.
Accordingly, the Prime Minister requested the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, and the Ministry of Industry and Trade to immediately issue guiding documents on inspecting food and goods exported and imported according to the assigned management fields. At the same time, it is necessary to urge units and localities to prepare facilities, human resources, and equipment for timely and smooth customs clearance.
The parties review the Decree, summarize problems, and report at the regular Government meeting in January 2026. Units must arrange regular on-duty personnel and promptly answer issues arising during the implementation of Decree 46.
The Ministry of Finance directs the Customs Department to arrange forces to work 24/7 at border gates, closely coordinate with functional forces to relieve congestion and promptly clear customs for food and goods. Localities designate sufficient testing facilities according to regulations, and at the same time support businesses to complete inspection and testing procedures.
In case the dossier is complete according to the commitment, customs clearance must be given immediately, and sample taking is carried out in parallel or post-inspection at the enterprise's warehouse," the telegram stated.
