Media plays important role in raising awareness of food safety: Deputy PM

Speaking at a biannual meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam noted the significant role of media in raising people’s awareness of food safety, activities violating regulations and harsh penalties on violators.
Inspectors visit a food booth in a tradiational market (Photo: SGGP)
Inspectors visit a food booth in a tradiational market (Photo: SGGP)
The Deputy PM who is also the Head of the Steering Committee on Food Safety chaired the biannual meeting yesterday to review the committee’s activities in the first six months of the year.
At the mention of food safety supervision in districts and towns , Deputy PM Dam emphasized to remove legal obstacles highlighting the differences between big urbans and small districts to expand food safety models.
The meeting participants reported that all cities and provinces across the country have built and developed 1,261 safe produce chains. Moreover, around 3,177 outlets have been set up to sell 1,456 products.
The Ministry of Health announced at the meeting that it will pilot food safety supervision in nine cities and provinces comprising of Hanoi, HCMC, Hai Phong, Da Nang, Can Tho, Thanh Hoa, Ha Tinh, Dong Nai, and Gia Lai.
Of 347,503 units inspectors paid visits to, some 56,816 were found to violate the regulation. In the first five months of the year, 32 poisoning cases have been reported killing four people and hospitalizing 785 others.
At present, abuse of pesticide, veterinary medicine, chemicals and antibiotic in farming and aquatic production and additives in cooking food.
Regarding monitoring food safety in the second half of the year, Mr. Dam asked to strengthen inspection and supervision especially in small-scale businesses.

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