Binh Dien Market aims for a safe market model

Binh Dien Agricultural and Food Wholesale Market supplies nearly 80% of fresh seafood for Ho Chi Minh City and neighboring areas. Photo: Satra

This is one of many food safety management measures that have been implemented recently at Binh Dien Agricultural Products Wholesale Market (Binh Dien Market). Thanks to the strict control of veterinary hygiene and quarantine of animal, plant and aquatic products at the market, violations have been detected, prevented and handled promptly.

Goods entering the market must comply with a multi-step inspection process.

Binh Dien Agricultural Products Wholesale Market is one of the largest markets in the country, especially the market supplies 70-80% of seafood for the market in Ho Chi Minh City and surrounding areas. This unit is managed by Binh Dien Market Management and Business Company (Binh Dien Market Company) - also a unit under Saigon Trading Corporation - One Member Limited Liability Company (Satra).

The company representative said that to manage food safety issues, the company has developed a plan to inspect and monitor food safety and goods traded at Binh Dien market, and organizes periodic rapid testing - about 120 samples/month (about 1,440 samples/year).

In the first six months of 2024, Binh Dien Market Company organized 913 rapid test samples of all kinds to monitor food safety hazards at the market with results that no violations were detected. Departments performed well the work of cleaning, disinfecting, sterilizing and controlling all means of transporting livestock meat by specialized motorbikes (vans), by market access cards, uniforms, identification logos, etc.

Every night, the company checks the appearance and sensory properties of goods imported into the market; checks the origin of goods, means of transport, tools, preservation methods, display and sensory indicators according to State standards.

"Up to now, most business households have strictly complied with the Veterinary Law and the Food Safety Law, and awareness of food safety in business has been increasingly improved," said a representative of the market management company.

For food traders, Binh Dien Market Company also inspects and supervises, forcing them to have clear documents, origins and sources; for imported goods, they must have labels, invoices and import documents according to regulations. Traders are not allowed to use food additives that are not on the list of permitted uses according to the law.

In addition, Binh Dien Market Company regularly coordinates with Food Safety Management Team No. 10 (City Food Safety Department) to organize propaganda and disseminate food safety knowledge to all traders, partners, and workers doing business at Binh Dien Market.

In addition, imported goods to the market are randomly sampled for testing, controlled by qualitative (quick test) and quantitatively in the laboratory for food safety indicators according to regulations.

Every night, Binh Dien Market Company checks the appearance and sensory properties of goods imported into the market. Photo: Satra

Turn wholesale markets into tourist attractions

In the current green development trend, the Market Board of Directors is implementing many activities to strengthen propaganda and mobilize traders at the market to ensure that goods have clear origin and source; increase sample testing and organize rapid testing of pesticide residues, borax, bleach, etc.

Regarding development strategy, Binh Dien market aims to be a green hub, gradually building and implementing a plan to put this market on the list of tourist destinations of the city.

The market has also piloted QR codes to trace the origin of products for a number of organizations and individuals doing business at the market. Daily checks are made on the declarations of traders, requiring full declaration of traceability information. At the same time, the market continues to participate in related projects of the city, such as the Project on Management and Identification of Pork, Eggs and Poultry, Safe Food Chain, Project on Waste Classification at Source, etc.

The company also plans to coordinate with the city's Department of Industry and Trade to work with breeding facilities and collection facilities in the provinces to disseminate regulations on safe product quality before importing to the market.

Currently, Binh Dien Market Company is constructing and arranging reasonable business areas, separating product groups to avoid cross-contamination. Upgrading the market floor with durable materials such as cement and ceramic tiles, ensuring easy cleaning and good drainage.

Traders are provided with clean water, upgraded toilets and hand washing sinks to maintain general hygiene. According to regulations, each business location must have a covered trash can and regular garbage collection. Traders need to keep records of food traceability, comply with good business procedures for transportation, storage and sales.

"We have determined that ensuring food safety is a plan that must be implemented persistently, step by step and long-term to achieve the expected results. At the same time, we recognize that ensuring food safety and protecting the clean and green environment of Binh Dien market is the responsibility of every officer, employee, trader and worker here," said a representative of Binh Dien market company.

Proposal to completely resolve the situation of spontaneous trading around the market

Binh Dien Market Company also "identified" the existing problems that need support from authorities at all levels such as District 8 People's Committee and Binh Chanh District People's Committee. In particular, it requested that all levels support to completely resolve the situation of spontaneous and illegal trading on the roads around the market and in the residential areas in front of the market gate, or the fact that the market still cannot check and control the origin of goods imported to the market from other provinces...

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/cho-binh-dien-huong-den-mo-hinh-cho-an-toan-20240823114439314.htm