On January 20, a working delegation from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) in collaboration with the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Food Safety conducted inspections at several food production and supply facilities to ensure food safety during Tet 2025.
Violations Found at MM Mega Market Supermarket
At the MM Mega Market supermarket system (located in An Phu Ward, Thu Duc City), the delegation inspected activities in the sales areas and food processing zones for agricultural and seafood products. Several issues were identified:
Food safety officers checking goods and food at MM Mega Market (Photo: GL).
- The food processing area lacked a separate zone to distinguish new and old products (reclaimed goods).
- The hand-washing basin contained both fish and cleaning cloths.
- Workers did not wear gloves while processing and were not fully dressed in protective gear.
- Shrimp were placed on car batteries in the processing area, which could pose health risks.
Additionally, in the sales area, some products like bean sprouts showed incorrect origin information when scanned with QR codes, while pickled bamboo shoots could not be traced back to their source.
Processing workers wearing gloves after being reminded by the inspection team (Photo: GL).
Recommendations for Enhanced Food Safety Control
Mr. Ngo Hong Phong, Director of the Quality Processing and Market Development Department at MARD, emphasized that supermarkets must strictly control food quality certificates to ensure accurate information reaches consumers.
Inspection team supervising meat product counters (Photo: GL).
Following the discovery of banned substances in bean sprouts in Dak Lak, MM Mega Market has implemented the “Green Tick Responsibility” program. If any manufacturer or facility violates food safety standards, the supermarket will immediately report it to authorities. Additionally, the company collaborates with seven other retail systems to collectively cease using products from violating manufacturers.
Inspection Results Across the City
According to the Ho Chi Minh City Interdepartmental Steering Committee on Food Safety, authorities organized 316 inspection teams, monitoring nearly 1,700 facilities. Inspections covered physical production conditions, food quality, origin, and compliance with labeling and advertising regulations.
Results revealed 47 violations, with total fines amounting to 63.8 million Vietnamese dong.
Challenges in Food Safety Oversight
Ms. Pham Khanh Phong Lan, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Food Safety, shared that although the number of violations has decreased compared to previous years, there are still challenges in oversight. For example, testing samples often takes several days to produce results, preventing immediate halting of sales.
Ms. Pham Khanh Phong Lan, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Food Safety, shares challenges in food safety oversight (Photo: Hoang Le).
For fresh foods, authorities have introduced rapid tests for screening. Positive results lead to further testing. However, purchasing these tests faces payment difficulties.
Unified Solutions for Enhanced Control
Leaders from the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Food Safety propose a unified approach to controlling food and slaughterhouse operations across provinces. This would prevent substandard food from entering Ho Chi Minh City from other regions.
In conclusion, strengthening food safety inspections during Tet 2025 is essential to ensure consumer health and safety. Production and business establishments must strictly adhere to food safety regulations to avoid violations and maintain brand credibility.
