Strengthen inspection of "dirty skewers" and street food

According to the Food Safety Department, currently, food service establishments and street food are becoming more and more popular with diverse forms, especially in big cities, including Hanoi - where many types of food service, street food, and dishes are very diverse such as: grilled meat, skewers, fast food... attracting a large number of people and tourists.

These shops, besides being convenient, also pose many potential food safety risks due to unsatisfactory storage and processing conditions, use of ingredients of unknown origin, as well as the risk of contamination with microorganisms and toxic chemicals.

To continue to strengthen food safety and food poisoning prevention to protect consumers' health, the Food Safety Department has just issued an official dispatch requesting the Hanoi Department of Health to urgently and proactively coordinate with local functional units to strengthen supervision and implement food safety control measures.

"Dirty skewers" are sold on the sidewalk of Nui Truc Street (Ba Dinh, Hanoi) without a glass case to cover them.

The Department of Health and relevant units inspect 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. at food service establishments, street food, and food around schools.

At the same time, strictly handle violations of food safety regulations; mobilize the participation of authorities at all levels, unions and socio-political organizations in the area.

The Hanoi Department of Health needs to step up 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.

Educate consumers, especially primary and secondary school students, to choose clean restaurants such as: Prioritize places with clean grilling areas, staff wearing gloves, avoid restaurants with unusually colored skewers, bad odors, or dark, residue-filled frying oil, limit eating in dusty areas, places with lots of vehicles, smoke, and dust, and do not ensure food safety and hygiene.

The Hanoi Department of Health needs to continue to strictly implement instructions on preventing and handling food poisoning, ensuring food safety, and preventing food-borne diseases in the area by 2025.

Source: https://cand.com.vn/y-te/tang-cuong-kiem-tra-xien-ban-va-thuc-an-duong-pho-i763127/