Concerns about the quality of frozen food.

With their convenience and variety, frozen foods have been meeting the needs of a segment of consumers, especially young people. However, many types of frozen foods on the market are of questionable quality, raising concerns about food safety for consumers.

The inter-agency inspection team 389 of the province inspects a frozen meat distribution facility in Phuoc Long district. Photo: Provided.

Besides branded products with proper packaging, labels, and quality declarations, many types of frozen foods, especially Vietnamese sausage, beef meatballs, buffalo meat, beef, and industrially raised chicken, are still sold in traditional markets and grocery stores. Most of these foods are stored in freezers or displayed directly outside.

Recently, during market inspections and controls, authorities such as the Market Management Department and the Provincial Police have discovered several establishments and points of sale selling frozen food, mainly beef balls, fish balls, industrial chicken meat, buffalo meat, and beef, that had expired, were smuggled goods, and did not meet food safety and hygiene standards. In addition, authorities have also discovered many cases of transporting frozen meat of unknown origin and source awaiting export to markets, businesses, and restaurants in the province.

In December 2024, during a joint patrol with traffic police on National Highway 1A (section passing through Hamlet 2, Ho Phong Ward, Gia Rai Town), the Economic Police Department (Provincial Police) discovered a truck transporting over 750kg of frozen food, including beef, chicken, pork, and beef meatballs, of unknown origin. Prior to this, the Provincial Inter-agency Inspection Team 389 inspected a cold storage facility in Hong Dan District and discovered over 2 tons of frozen buffalo and beef of Indian origin without invoices or documents proving the product's origin.

Consuming frozen food isn't inherently bad, but using unsanitary or unsafe food can introduce pathogens into the body. Poor storage and prolonged freezing can cause food to decompose and become contaminated with carcinogenic toxins. This is one of the reasons for the recent increase in cancer cases, especially among children. Therefore, to protect themselves and their families, consumers should only buy frozen meat products sold in supermarkets, stores, and markets under the supervision of market management boards and specialized agencies. They should "say no" to products of unknown origin sold on the streets, by street vendors, and especially on online marketplaces. Above all, relevant authorities need to strengthen control and inspection of frozen food businesses and processing facilities to promptly prevent the sale of substandard food that harms consumer health.

Thuy Lam

Source: https://www.baobaclieu.vn/doi-song-xa-hoi/noi-lo-chat-luong-thuc-pham-dong-lanh-99882.html