Ministry of Health warns of risk of poisoning from street food

The Department of Food Safety, Ministry of Health has just issued an official dispatch requesting the Hanoi Department of Health to strengthen food safety and food poisoning prevention in Hanoi by 2025.

According to the Food Safety Department, in large cities, especially Hanoi, street food and snacks are often pre-processed or processed on the spot and are very popular because of their convenience.

However, food from sidewalk stalls has many potential risks of food safety and hygiene.

The Food Safety Department, Ministry of Health has issued a warning about the risk of unsafe street food, especially shops that do not ensure hygiene standards such as "dirty skewers" grilled food on the roadside, which pose a risk of food poisoning, bacterial contamination and long-term accumulation of toxins for consumers.

Faced with the reality that food service establishments and street food are becoming more and more popular with diverse forms, especially in big cities including Hanoi where there are many types of food services, street food, and very diverse dishes such as grilled meat, skewers, fast food... attracting a large number of people and tourists.

Food and drinks provided by street vendors always pose many potential food safety risks due to poor storage and processing conditions and the use of ingredients of unknown origin. In addition, these foods also carry many risks of contamination with microorganisms and toxic chemicals.

The Food Safety Department requested the Hanoi Department of Health to organize inspections and monitor compliance with food safety regulations, strictly control the source of raw materials, food additives, and frying oils, especially for grilled meat, skewers, fast food, etc.

Functional units organize inspections and supervision of compliance with food safety regulations, strictly control the source of raw materials, food additives, frying oils, especially for grilled meat, skewers, fast food... at food service establishments, street food, food around schools. Violations of food safety regulations must be strictly handled.

In addition, units promote propaganda and dissemination of food safety knowledge, measures to ensure food safety and prevent food poisoning for owners and food service and street food vendors.

At the same time, mobilize the participation of local authorities, unions and socio-political organizations to propagate to consumers, especially students, to choose clean restaurants...

Previously, the Food Safety Department issued a warning about the risk of unsafe food on the streets, especially shops that do not meet hygiene standards such as "dirty skewers" grilled food... on the roadside, which pose a potential risk of food poisoning, bacterial contamination and long-term accumulation of toxins for consumers...

Consuming unhygienic food, especially grilled “dirty skewers”, poses many potential health risks such as food poisoning causing abdominal pain, diarrhea, acute vomiting; intestinal infections from bacteria such as E.coli, Salmonella, staphylococcus... leading to prolonged digestive disorders; long-term accumulation of toxins due to repeated use of frying oil can easily create carcinogens.

At the same time, ingredients such as undercooked meat or ingredients from infected animals can be contaminated with parasites.

The Food Safety Department recommends that consumers prioritize places with clean grilling areas, where sellers use gloves to ensure hygiene; do not buy food from restaurants with unusually colored skewers, foul odors, or dark, residue-filled frying oil; limit eating or buying food in dusty, heavily trafficked, smoky areas that do not ensure food hygiene and safety./.

(Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/bo-y-te-canh-bao-nguy-co-nhiem-doc-tu-thuc-an-duong-pho-post1022808.vnp