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Multi-sectoral efforts and positive change

It must be affirmed that ensuring food safety in Yen Bai is a multi-sectoral effort, with close coordination between many functional agencies. The Department of Health , with its central role, together with the Market Management Department, the provincial police force and the Provincial Steering Committee 389 have synchronously deployed many solutions, from propaganda, dissemination of laws to inspection, examination and handling of violations. Peak campaigns such as the "Month of Action for Food Safety" are held annually, demonstrating the province's initiative and determination in restoring order and discipline in this field.

The statistics clearly demonstrate these efforts. In the first quarter of 2025, inspection and handling activities continued to be maintained and promoted. The provincial Department of Food Safety and Hygiene conducted 11 inspections at 198 establishments, handling administrative violations at 20 establishments with a fine of 69.5 million VND. The provincial Steering Committee 389 strengthened coordination, inspection and handling of 132 violations, collecting over 2.8 billion VND for the state budget.

A notable highlight is the policy of publicly disclosing information about establishments violating food safety on the website of the Department of Health. This is a measure demonstrating transparency, both deterring production and business establishments and providing information for consumers to make informed choices, protecting their own health and that of the community.

The challenges

In addition to positive results, food safety assurance in Yen Bai still faces many challenges. Common violations are still trading in goods of unknown origin, smuggled food, unsanitary conditions and issues related to labels and expiry dates. In particular, the situation of goods of unknown origin, especially frozen meat products and alcohol, is still a painful "hot spot".

This situation has continued since the beginning of the year. A typical case was on January 18, when authorities discovered nearly 2 tons of frozen food (including 350kg of chicken feet and 1,550kg of pig trotters) without documents proving their origin at Chan Thinh Agricultural, Forestry and Food Processing Cooperative. This incident once again sounded the alarm about the sophistication and recklessness of violators, and at the same time revealed loopholes in supply chain management and market control.

Another problem is the lack of hygiene conditions and operating procedures at many food production and business establishments, especially small establishments and food services. In the first quarter of 2025, the Department of Health discovered violations such as: no boots or shoes for separate use in production areas, no sanitary waste collection tools, and failure to maintain hygiene in business areas.

Recently, on April 19, Market Management Team No. 4 inspected and discovered a fresh vermicelli production facility in An Binh Commune, Van Yen District without a certificate of food safety training. These seemingly minor violations pose a great risk of food contamination, directly affecting the health of consumers. In addition, the management of alcohol production and trading, especially craft alcohol, still has many shortcomings. Alcohol of unknown origin and unlabeled alcohol still occurs, posing a potential risk of methanol poisoning.

Need more synchronous and drastic participation

The Food Safety Action Month 2025, with its focus on collective kitchens, food service establishments and street food, is an opportunity for relevant agencies and the whole society to look back at the results achieved, identify more clearly the shortcomings and limitations to have more fundamental and effective solutions. In order for food safety work to truly go into depth and bring about sustainable results, there needs to be more synchronous and drastic participation.

First, it is necessary to continue to strengthen inspection and examination work, especially surprise inspections, focusing on high-risk items, small production and business establishments, wholesale markets and strictly handle violations, without prohibited areas. The public list of violations needs to be maintained and expanded to make it easy for people to look up.

In addition, the relevant authorities need to tighten the management of the origin of goods, especially imported food, livestock meat, poultry and meat products. There needs to be a more effective solution in tracing the origin, fighting against counterfeit, fake and poor quality goods. Along with that, promote propaganda,education , raise awareness and sense of compliance with food safety laws for both producers, traders and consumers.

It is necessary to develop diverse, easy-to-understand, and accessible communication programs to help people know how to choose safe food, identify food safety risks, and proactively report violations. In addition, agencies and units need to improve the capacity of staff working in food safety management at all levels. At the same time, it is necessary to enhance inter-sectoral coordination in a substantive manner, avoid overlap or omission, ensure that information is shared smoothly, and responsibilities are clearly defined.

Food safety is not just a matter of a particular industry or level, but the responsibility of the whole society. The Food Safety Action Month is an important highlight, but to have a truly safe food environment, it requires constant efforts, constant vigilance and a sense of responsibility from each individual, each business and the entire political system. Only then will the health and rights of consumers be truly protected, contributing to sustainable socio-economic development.

Hung Cuong

Source: https://baoyenbai.com.vn/12/350282/Quyet-liet-hanh-dong-vi-mot-tuong-lai-ben-vung.aspx