As part of the 2024 Food Safety Action Month, Hanoi authorities have significantly stepped up efforts to inspect and monitor food quality across local production and business establishments. 

Officials from the Hanoi municipal government inspect a farm in the Thach That district. Photo: Trong Tung/The Hanoi Times

These initiatives have brought some progress, but the results reveal ongoing challenges threatening public health.

QuocOai District, a focal point in these efforts, is home to 2,436 food production, trading, and service establishments, including numerous street food vendors.

A majority of these establishments are small-scale operations managed by the district People’s Committee and 21 communes and towns.

The large number of small-scale establishments poses considerable challenges to effective food safety management at the local level.

This issue is exacerbated by the widespread and often uncontrolled trade in agricultural products and food items, making comprehensive oversight difficult.

According to Nguyen QuangTham, Head of the district’s Economic Department, local authorities, in collaboration with the 21 communes and towns, have conducted inspections at 502 establishments since early 2024.

These inspections identified 21 establishments in violation of food safety regulations. All 21 violators were fined, contributing a total of VND79 million (US$3,152) to the State budget.

Thach That District has also taken a rigorous stance on food safety. VuongThi Ngoc Dien, Head of the district’s Health Department, reported that inspections were conducted at 402 of all 2,156 active establishments this year.

The inspections uncovered violations at 11 establishments, primarily within the food service sector, leading to fines totaling VND75 million ($2,993) for eight of the violators.

Enhanced inspections and oversight

Hanoi’s inter-sectoral inspection team, led by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, has been actively conducting inspections across various localities as part of the 2024 Food Safety Action Month.

The team includes representatives from the departments of Agriculture and Rural Development, Industry and Trade, and Health, the Market Management Division, and officials from district and municipal levels, underscoring the transparency and effectiveness that the Hanoi People’s Committee aims to achieve through its Food Safety Action Month plan.

Recent inspections conducted by the team at various locations, including the QuocOai B Kindergarten and Duong Van Quy’s alcohol production facility in QuocOai District, and a bakery in Thach That District, have highlighted several pressing issues.

Hoang Nguyen Ung, Vice Chairman of the QuocOai District People’s Committee, acknowledged the significant challenges the district faces in ensuring food safety.

One of the main difficulties stems from the fact that the majority of food production and business establishments in the district are small-scale and often operate seasonally, complicating consistent management, he said.

Moreover, inconsistent legal regulations add to the complexity of managing these establishment, he said. 

Hanoi officials inspect a local jelly producer in Hoai Duc District. Photo: Ha Linh/The Hanoi Times

The rise of online food sales has introduced new challenges, making effective oversight increasingly difficult for regulatory authorities, Ung added.

According to local officials, the personnel assigned to monitor food safety have other tasks, and they lack the necessary specialization. Some business owners prioritize profit over compliance with food safety laws, further exacerbating the problem.

Nguyen Dinh Hoa, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said that food safety is a critical issue with direct public health implications.

As such, it has received special attention and directives from the city’s leadership, he said.

Hanoi is the first locality in the country to launch the 2024 Food Safety Action Month (April 15-May 15), focusing primarily on addressing food safety violations and reducing food poisoning incidents, Hoa said.

Field observations show that the implementation of food safety measures, including the 2024 Food Safety Action Month, has been systematic and serious, he said.

“Local authorities have complemented their efforts with extensive information dissemination and public awareness campaigns. These initiatives have been crucial in educating both consumers and business owners about the importance of adhering to food safety standards,” he said.

However, while these efforts are commendable, the deputy director pointed out several shortcomings in the implementation of the Food Safety Action Month.

A primary issue is the low inspection coverage rate in some areas, where the percentage of establishments inspected remains relatively low, undermining the initiative's overall effectiveness, he said.

Additionally, there is an imbalance in inspection efforts between district and commune levels, Hoa said, adding that commune-level authorities are not as proactive as their district-level counterparts in some cases, highlighting the need for a more coordinated and uniform approach across all levels of local government.

To address these challenges, the DARD has recommended several key measures for local authorities. First, there is a need to intensify the training and knowledge development of food safety officials. Ensuring that these officials have the necessary expertise and resources is crucial for effective monitoring and enforcement of food safety standards.

In addition to strengthening food safety officials' capabilities, the DARD emphasized the importance of educating business owners about their responsibilities under food safety laws. Targeted training and support can help business owners better understand the regulations and the potential consequences of non-compliance.

Moreover, the DARD has called for continued regular inspection and monitoring of food production and business establishments. These inspections should be systematic and unannounced to ensure that establishments consistently maintain high food safety standards.

The DARD also highlighted the importance of expanding food sampling and testing procedures. By increasing the frequency and scope of food sample testing, authorities can identify potential risks early and take prompt action. This proactive approach will help prevent food safety incidents and provide additional consumer protection.

The city’s department reiterated the need for strict enforcement of food safety regulations. Violators should be held accountable through appropriate penalties, including fines and, if necessary, the suspension of business operations. This will serve as a strong deterrent to potential violators and reinforce the city's commitment to food safety.