The complete joy of the Mid-Autumn Festival

To ensure food safety, prevent counterfeit and substandard goods, and protect consumer rights, authorities will intensify food safety inspections and controls during the Mid-Autumn Festival in 2025.

A joint inter-agency team from the People's Committee of Rach Gia Ward inspected food safety at a facility producing and selling various types of cakes made from flour. Photo: MI NI

As the Mid-Autumn Festival approaches, the demand for cakes and candies, especially mooncakes, surges. Consequently, the number of mooncake production, processing, and trading establishments has increased rapidly. However, alongside reputable businesses producing and selling safe products, some organizations and individuals are secretly introducing smuggled, unregistered, and unverified mooncakes and candies onto the market. This makes it difficult for consumers to distinguish between quality products and counterfeit goods that pose a potential food safety risk.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Minh Tam, a resident of Rach Gia ward, shared: “My two children love eating mooncakes. Every year, about a month before the Mid-Autumn Festival, my family starts buying them. However, recently I've heard a lot of information about smuggled mooncakes of unknown origin being discovered, and I'm worried. This year, I only choose to buy mooncakes from reputable brands, stores, or supermarkets. Although the price is higher than the market price, I feel more secure.”

To enhance food safety control during the Mid-Autumn Festival, from September 16th to 19th, the Provincial Food Safety and Hygiene Department established an inspection team to conduct inspections of food service establishments and collective kitchens in Binh An commune and Phu Quoc special economic zone. Deputy Head of the Provincial Food Safety and Hygiene Department, Dang Van Binh, stated: “In addition to checking the administrative and legal documents of the establishments, the team focused on inspecting conditions ensuring food safety such as: facility conditions, equipment, and utensils; food processing and preservation procedures; origin of raw materials and food additives; the three-step food inspection process and food sample retention; and the use of clean water that meets technical standards for food processing…”

The People's Committee of Rach Gia Ward has established an inter-agency team to inspect food safety during the Mid-Autumn Festival. In addition to mooncake production and business establishments, the team will inspect food production, processing, and trading establishments, food service businesses, street food vendors, ready-made meal providers, and related organizations and individuals during the peak Mid-Autumn Festival period.

Mr. Ngo Quoc Khai, Deputy Head of the Culture and Social Affairs Department of Rach Gia Ward and head of the inspection team, stated: “Through the inspection, in general, food production, business, and processing establishments; and food service businesses have done well in ensuring food safety and hygiene; complying with legal procedures and documentation; using food processing ingredients with clear origins and sources, production dates, expiration dates, and product expiration dates… However, some establishments still do not meet legal procedures; food preparation and processing areas are not hygienic, and food processing equipment is not neatly arranged… For establishments that violate regulations, the team will provide guidance, reminders, and take action according to regulations.”

Mr. Vu Van Hoa, the owner of a mooncake stall on 3 Thang 2 Street, Rach Gia Ward, said: “I sell Kinh Do brand mooncakes and Tan Hue Vien pia cakes with clear origins and sources. When importing goods, I pay attention to checking the expiration date, packaging, and product storage. Staff regularly clean the storage area and display cases daily to ensure the health and safety of consumers.”

To ensure the health of themselves and their families, Mr. Dang Van Binh advises consumers to pay attention to labels when choosing products. Products must have a clear origin, including: the name of the manufacturer, the address of the production facility, instructions for use and storage; the product must have a production date and an expiration date, and it is best to use newly manufactured products. The product should not be crushed or deformed, the packaging should not be torn, the color should not be unusual, and there should be no strange odors...

MINI

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/niem-vui-tron-ven-mua-trung-thu-a463016.html