Lao Cai joins hands to ensure food safety during the holidays

Since the beginning of April 2025, the Lao Cai Provincial Department of Health has issued a plan for specialized inspection and supervision of food safety, especially during the April 30 and May 1 holidays. Working groups have been established, focusing on comprehensive inspections at key areas such as supermarkets, central markets, restaurants, hotels, fast food stalls, fair and festival areas, food production and processing facilities, etc. The goal is to ensure that people and tourists can use safe food, with clear origins and meeting quality standards.

The inspection teams conducted comprehensive inspections of food production, trading and processing establishments.

Speaking to reporters, Mr. Nguyen Khanh Thuan, Deputy Head of Food Safety Department, Lao Cai Provincial Department of Health said: On the occasion of April 30 - May 1 this year, the local health sector pays special attention to ensuring food safety. The first thing is to strengthen communication and raise awareness of food safety for two main groups: Those who produce - trade and provide food to the community; consumers. The sector also strengthens inspection and supervision of the entire food chain - from production, distribution, circulation to consumption; in addition, closely coordinates with related sectors to promptly handle violations of food safety laws.

As a locality that attracts a large number of tourists during the April 30 - May 1 holiday, Lao Cai city has proactively established food safety monitoring teams at festival and event venues. The city's Medical Center has deployed regular monitoring forces at food stalls and street food stalls, especially in public spaces in Kim Tan ward - where many activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification Day are concentrated. Strengthening inspection and monitoring helps ensure food hygiene conditions, contributing to protecting public health during the holiday.

Authorities inspect businesses on the street and in public spaces.

Mr. Truong Duy Thang, Head of the Department of Public Health, Nutrition and Food Safety (Lao Cai City Medical Center) shared: Lao Cai City Medical Center has established a Food Safety Monitoring Team to strengthen inspection, propaganda and guidance for small traders in festival areas; organize the signing of commitments with food businesses. We hope that people will use safe food sources, ensuring their health during the holiday.

Not only the authorities, but also the owners of supermarkets, restaurants and food production facilities in Lao Cai have also raised their sense of responsibility and proactively ensured food safety to best serve customers.

Stores and supermarkets proactively import goods with clear origin and source, ensuring food safety.

Mr. Truong Hai Long, Manager of Mai Long Smart supermarket chain said: Not only during holidays, but also on normal days, the supermarket always focuses on ensuring food safety. When importing goods, we always require that the items have full invoices, documents related to food hygiene and safety and product quality declaration papers.

Ensuring food hygiene from kitchens is also a concern for many restaurants.

Mr. Nguyen Nhat Sinh, Manager of Am Thuc Pho Restaurant (Lao Cai City) affirmed: This is the time when the number of customers is very high, so ensuring food hygiene and safety is the restaurant's top priority. The staff directly involved in food processing at the restaurant are all regularly updated with knowledge, trained in food safety procedures and fully equipped with labor protection gear and standard equipment.

Along with the efforts of functional sectors and businesses, consumer awareness also plays an important role in building a safe consumer environment.

Ms. Tran Thi Diep, a resident of Coc Leu ward, Lao Cai city, shared: Currently, there are many fake and counterfeit goods on the market, so I often prioritize going to large, reputable supermarkets to choose to buy products. There, the goods have clear origins and prices are clearly listed on each product...

Ensuring food safety during the holidays in Lao Cai is not only the responsibility of the health sector, but is gradually becoming the awareness of the social community, from the government, businesses, production and business establishments to the people and tourists. Those commitments and specific actions contribute to building a civilized and safe Lao Cai.

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/lao-cai-chung-tay-dam-bao-an-toan-thuc-pham-trong-dip-le-post401131.html