Hanoi takes strong action to handle food safety violations during Tet

After a month of implementing a campaign to conduct surprise food safety inspections during Tet at food production, processing and trading establishments, interdisciplinary teams of Hanoi City have taken strong measures to handle violations.

After a month of implementing a campaign to conduct surprise food safety inspections during Tet at food production, processing and trading establishments, interdisciplinary teams of Hanoi City have taken strong measures to handle violations.

Recently, Nguyen Ninh green rice cake establishment (No. 11 Hang Than Street, Ba Dinh District) caused a stir in public opinion when it was temporarily suspended for violating food safety regulations.

Authorities are inspecting food businesses.

Head of the Inspection Department, Hanoi Food Safety and Hygiene Department, Tran Viet Dung expressed his surprise when witnessing the manual and makeshift production process here. All production stages seriously violated food hygiene and safety standards.

After inspection, the People's Committee of Ba Dinh district decided to fine Mr. Nguyen Duy Anh, owner of Nguyen Ninh green rice cake establishment, VND40 million for four violations.

This incident once again affirms that, whether producing according to modern technological lines or traditional manual methods, facilities must strictly comply with regulations on hygiene and food safety for sustainable development.

In addition to the Nguyen Ninh green rice cake facility, the interdisciplinary inspection teams also discovered many violations at other food production facilities.

Specifically, at Duc Vinh Food Technology and Trading Joint Stock Company (No. 2 Thanh Nien Street, La Phu Industrial Park, La Phu Commune, Hoai Duc District), the inspection team requested to temporarily suspend operations because this facility did not ensure food hygiene and safety requirements.

Similarly, at Hai Viet Food Company Limited (Yen Nghia Industrial Park, Ha Dong), the facility was also temporarily suspended due to violations of hygiene regulations, such as unclean workshops, finished products placed directly on the floor, and employees not using protective clothing, gloves, or masks when working directly with the products.

Head of the Hanoi Food Safety and Hygiene Department, Dang Thanh Phong, said that during this year's Tet inspection, the Hanoi People's Committee established four interdisciplinary inspection teams.

Up to now, the Interdisciplinary Food Safety Inspection Team No. 1 has suddenly inspected 7 establishments in 7 districts, including Tay Ho, Ba Dinh, Ha Dong, Chuong My, Hoai Duc, Bac Tu Liem and My Duc.

At the time of inspection, 6/7 establishments did not meet food hygiene and safety requirements, forcing the delegation to request a temporary suspension of operations. Among them, Duc Vinh Food Industry and Trading Joint Stock Company was assessed as having the most serious level of violation.

Violating establishments mainly produce by hand, lacking investment in facilities and equipment. In addition, many establishment owners do not have full awareness of food safety regulations, and have a reactive attitude when inspected.

According to the report of the Hanoi City Food Safety Steering Committee, during this year's Tet holiday, the entire city has established 681 food safety inspection teams at all levels.

From December 15, 2024 to January 10, 2025, the delegations inspected 6,829 establishments, discovered 1,001 violations, and fined 954 establishments with a total fine of more than VND 4.8 billion. In addition, 30 establishments were warned, and 17 others are still being processed.

Some establishments, after being inspected, are closed and workers are asked to leave. If these establishments fail to correct the violations, the handling will continue, and the establishment's operations will only be re-authorized when they meet the requirements.

Vice Chairwoman of the Hanoi People’s Committee, Ms. Vu Thu Ha, emphasized that the city is always determined to handle food safety violations at the highest possible level. The handling measures will include fines and suspension of operations until the facility corrects the violations.

The inspection teams will continue to take samples for rapid testing of products on the spot. If violations are detected, local authorities will have to strictly handle them, supervise the correction and only allow the facility to resume operations when food safety standards are ensured.

The Vice Chairman of the City People's Committee also requested the inspection teams to continue monitoring and handling after Tet, especially for products that are consumed a lot during the festival. Violating establishments will be made public so that people can recognize and avoid using products from these establishments.

In addition to the strong involvement of authorities, consumers also need to be careful when choosing, preserving and consuming food during Tet. People should avoid hoarding too much food to avoid using expired, spoiled products that can easily cause poisoning.

Source: https://baodautu.vn/ha-noi-manh-tay-xu-ly-vi-pham-an-toan-thuc-pham-dip-tet-d242270.html