Risk of accumulating cancer-causing toxins from unsanitary 'dirty skewers' on the roadside - Lang Son Newspaper and Radio and Television

'Dirty skewers' sold on school sidewalks, flea markets, and roadside pose a risk of food poisoning, bacterial contamination, and long-term accumulation of toxins for consumers.

According to the Department of Food Safety ( Ministry of Health ), street food is increasingly popular in big cities like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang with a variety of attractive dishes such as grilled meat, skewers, mixed rice paper, milk tea, fried corn, fried fish balls.

Because of its cheap price, convenience, ease of eating and purchase, the above foods are always the favorite choice of students, workers and many busy people. However, behind that convenience are a series of food safety risks, especially from the "dirty skewer" grilled food stalls that appear densely at school gates, night markets and on the sidewalks.

Many establishments use ingredients of unknown origin, spoiled food, and seasoned with additives and cheap dyes to trick the taste buds. Frying oil is reused many times, creating toxic substances that can accumulate over time, increasing the risk of cancer.

Many shops grill food right on the street, in dusty places, without any protection or hygiene measures. Vendors do not wear gloves or masks, posing a risk of bacterial and parasitic infections if the meat is not cooked thoroughly.

Skewered meat and fast food are sold everywhere. (Illustration: Department of Food Safety)

According to the Ministry of Health , consuming unsanitary food such as dirty skewers can cause stomachaches, acute diarrhea, intestinal infections from bacteria such as E.coli, Salmonella, staphylococcus... or accumulate toxins that cause cancer if used regularly.

The warning comes as many localities have reported cases of food poisoning related to street food. The Ministry of Health recommends that people be careful when choosing restaurants, prioritizing clean places with safe processing areas, staff wearing gloves and masks, and not using black, greasy cooking oil.

Regulations on penalties in this field are clearly stated in Decree 115/2018/ND-CP, amended by Decree 124/2021/ND-CP. Depending on the severity of the violation, businesses may be fined from 500,000 to 15 million VND, along with a suspension of operations for up to 3 months if they seriously violate food safety conditions. In particular, the fine for organizations can be double that of individuals.

In order to tighten the inspection, supervision and prevention of food poisoning, the Food Safety Department issued Official Letter No. 532/ATTP-NDTT requesting localities to increase surprise inspections of food service establishments, especially in areas around schools and traditional markets. At the same time, it requested to promote the dissemination of food safety knowledge to vendors and consumers, especially students.

Source: https://baolangson.vn/nguy-co-tich-tu-doc-to-gay-ung-thu-tu-xien-ban-mat-ve-sinh-ven-duong-5045215.html