In the days leading up to Tet (Lunar New Year), food production facilities increase their capacity to meet market demand, thus increasing the risk of food safety issues.
The inspection team from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) on the supply of agricultural products for Tet 2025 conducted a field visit to Ho Chi Minh City and worked with the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Food Safety on January 20th.
Control needs to be strengthened.
During an inspection of MM Mega Market An Phu (Thu Duc City), one of the largest supermarkets in Ho Chi Minh City supplying a significant quantity of agricultural and aquatic products, the inspection team noted several violations related to food safety regulations, particularly concerning the increased volume of goods during the Tet holiday season. For example, in the pork and beef packaging area, employees did not fully comply with protective equipment regulations and did not wear gloves. The food preparation area contained personal food items and car batteries placed in locations with a risk of cross-contamination. Meanwhile, the area awaiting disposal (primarily fresh goods no longer meeting quality standards) was disorganized, and the distinction between good and bad products was unclear, easily leading to product mix-ups.
In the bean sprout section, only one product was the supermarket's private label. When a member of the inspection team scanned the QR code on the bean sprout package, a VietGAP certificate for raspberries appeared. However, the supermarket checked its records and discovered an error in data entry for the bean sprout product; in reality, the product had valid documentation. This product received significant attention following the incident involving Lam Dao Trading Co., Ltd. ( Dak Lak ) using an unregistered substance to soak bean sprouts before selling them at the Bach Hoa Xanh supermarket chain.
Following several violations, Mr. Ngo Hong Phong, Director of the Department of Quality, Processing and Market Development under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, reminded MM Mega Market An Phu supermarket to strengthen food safety inspections, especially given the increased volume of goods compared to normal days. Regarding the issue related to bean sprouts, Mr. Phong emphasized the need for accurate data entry, as consumers lack the means to verify information like authorities do, and any discrepancies in data will raise suspicions. Furthermore, VietGAP, GlobalGAP, and organic certifications have limited scope; not all products produced by a facility meet these standards.
Food safety inspection at MM Mega Market An Phu supermarket (Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City)
Acknowledging the feedback, Mr. Nguyen Duc Toan, Commercial Director of the MM Mega Market system, committed to immediately implementing corrective solutions to provide the best service to consumers. He added that purchasing power during this year's Tet holiday increased by 6% compared to the same period last year, with the most popular items being those of Vietnamese origin and products beneficial to health.
Concerns about unauthorized sales points.
Working with the Ho Chi Minh City Food Safety Department, Mr. Tran Thanh Nam, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, emphasized that food safety inspections should be carried out in parallel with public awareness campaigns and reminders. Citing the reality of the large number of food production facilities while inspection and enforcement personnel are limited, the Deputy Minister noted the need for coordinated management between provinces and cities that are production centers and Ho Chi Minh City – the consumption center – so that problems can be quickly addressed through joint efforts. In addition, he stressed the need to expand the model of food control along the supply chain, with a single point of contact responsible for inspection.
Deputy Minister Tran Thanh Nam praised the "responsibility checkmark" model of major retail systems in Ho Chi Minh City, which helps to enhance the responsibility of manufacturers and suppliers to consumers. This model involves suppliers signing commitments with supermarkets, whereby if a supermarket discovers a product in violation of regulations, all retail systems will simultaneously remove the infringing product from that supplier's shelves.
Speaking to the press on the sidelines of the meeting, Ms. Pham Khanh Phong Lan, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Food Safety, said that the department is focusing on inspecting the distribution stage after inspecting the production stage. Ms. Lan expressed concern that in the context of a difficult economic situation, some consumers prioritize cheap goods and therefore buy from unregulated, informal sales points with a high risk of food safety issues.
"Consumers should buy goods from places licensed by state agencies and subject to inspection and supervision. After purchasing goods, attention should be paid to storage, avoiding the mentality of 'not wanting to waste' and using goods that no longer meet quality standards," Ms. Lan advised.
Regarding beverages, the Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Food Safety Department advised people not to consume alcohol of unknown origin because it may be mixed with industrial alcohol, which can cause fatal poisoning.
47 establishments were found in violation, resulting in fines totaling nearly 64 million VND.
According to a report by the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Food Safety, during the Lunar New Year of 2025, 316 inspection teams at all levels conducted inspections of 1,692 establishments, discovering 47 establishments in violation and imposing fines totaling 63.8 million VND.
The inspection contents include the physical conditions of food production and processing facilities; food safety conditions of food service establishments; origin of goods; registration of product declarations/self-declarations; labeling; advertising, etc.
Source: https://nld.com.vn/chan-nguy-co-mat-an-toan-thuc-pham-196250120221052681.htm
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