The dangers of street food, new warning from the Ministry of Health

However, along with the convenience and appeal of street foods such as grilled meat, skewers, fast food, etc., many businesses pose great risks to consumers' health due to the lack of strict control over food safety.

Faced with that situation, the Food Safety Department ( Ministry of Health ) has issued drastic instructions to strengthen food safety and hygiene, limit poisoning and protect public health.

Illustration photo.

The leader of the Food Safety Department said that in recent years, street food stalls in Hanoi have become an indispensable part of the culinary culture of the people here.

Attractive dishes such as grilled meat, skewers, or fast food not only serve the dining needs but also become a specialty of the city.

However, these forms of business pose many risks to food safety if they do not strictly comply with regulations on hygiene and food origin.

Many restaurants, although quite attractive in appearance, lack control over the quality of ingredients, food origin, or poor storage conditions.

In particular, grilled and skewered meat dishes, which are very popular, if not prepared properly, can easily become an ideal environment for microorganisms and toxic chemicals to grow, directly affecting the health of consumers.

Faced with the above situation, the Food Safety Department issued Official Dispatch No. 532/ATTP-NDTT, requesting the Hanoi Department of Health to deploy strong measures to inspect, monitor and control food quality at food service establishments, especially at street food stalls and fast food establishments.

The Food Safety Department especially emphasizes the close monitoring of raw materials, food additives, and frying oils to protect public health.

In particular, authorities are required to increase inspections of items such as grilled meat, skewers, and fast food - foods that are easily contaminated with bacteria and toxic chemicals due to unsafe processing.

One of the focuses of this work is to control ingredients, ensure that frying oil does not contain toxic substances, and inspect food establishments around schools, where there are many students - those who are easily affected by risks from dirty food.

One of the highlights in the direction of the Ministry of Health is the strict handling of violations of food safety regulations.

The Food Safety Department requested the Hanoi Department of Health to coordinate with local authorities to regularly inspect and thoroughly handle businesses that do not ensure food hygiene and safety, in order to create a healthy eating environment for the people of the capital.

In addition to inspection and handling of violations, the Food Safety Department also pays special attention to propaganda and dissemination of knowledge on food safety and food poisoning prevention.

This program is not only for businesses but also for consumers, especially students - the group most vulnerable to the risks of dirty food.

The Food Safety Department recommends that when choosing a restaurant, consumers should pay attention to factors such as clean food preparation areas, staff wearing gloves during preparation, and clear food origin.

At the same time, consumers should avoid restaurants that have skewers or frying oil that has an unusual color, bad smell, or a lot of dirt. In addition, experts also recommend limiting eating in dusty, polluted areas, places with a lot of vehicle exhaust, and unsanitary conditions.

In order to protect health, the Food Safety Department also provides useful advice for consumers, especially for families and students:

Choose a clean restaurant: Prioritize restaurants with clear food preparation areas, ensuring hygiene, and staff wearing gloves when preparing food.

Observe the ingredients: Avoid restaurants with unusually colored skewers, dark, smelly frying oil, and lots of residue.

Limit eating in polluted areas: Avoid eating in dusty areas, areas with vehicle exhaust, or places that do not ensure food safety and hygiene.

Strengthen resistance: Maintain a healthy diet and supplement vitamins to help the body strengthen the immune system.

Homemade: If possible, prepare and cook food at home with fresh, clean ingredients to ensure health safety.

In an effort to protect public health, the Ministry of Health and relevant agencies will continue to strengthen management, supervision and handling of food safety violations, not only for businesses but also for consumers.

Raising public awareness, from consumers' food choices to the management of authorities, will contribute to building a safe food environment that protects the health of everyone.

Food safety is a shared responsibility of the whole society, and each person and each family can contribute to ensuring health for themselves and the community. Be smart consumers, choose safe food, for good health and a healthy community.

Source: https://baodautu.vn/nguy-co-cua-thuc-pham-duong-pho-canh-bao-moi-tu-bo-y-te-d259143.html