According to the Ho Chi Minh City Market Control Department, in the third quarter of this year, the department and inter-disciplinary inspection teams detected 979 violations of veterinary quarantine regulations, mainly focused on the trade of poultry lacking clear points of origin. They also discovered 241 food safety violations.
Poultry intestines transported to Hanoi and HCM City markets in the early morning
On November 29, Thu Duc District’s veterinary quarantine station seized 280 kilos of tripe being transported from Dong Nai to Ho Chi Minh City. On November 27, they also intercepted a large amount of poultry products brought from Quang Nam, Quang Ngai and Dong Nai provinces to the city, including over one tonne of pork, 577kg of tripe, 30 chickens, and unidentified animal fat and skin.
Binh Dien Wholesale Market’s veterinary quarantine force also uncovered the transportation of 80 dead pigs, including 17 already in the process of decomposing.
In the first ten months of this year, the Hanoi Market Control Department and other agencies dealt with 500 food safety violations. Most recently, on November 27, the municipal police seized a truck carrying nearly 1.5 tonnes of pig intestines that had not been previously checked.
Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City market control forces also warned consumers of bad quality sweets and jams that were on sale for the Tet Lunar New Year celebrations. Many of the items lacked clear points of origin.
The Hanoi Market Control Department seized nearly one tonne of unsafe confectionery, oyster and soy sauces from Hang Giay Street. They also detected the transportation of 3,650kg of buckwheat and 200kg of sugar nearing their expiry date along with four tonnes of fake wheat used for beer production.
Hoang Dai Nghia from the Hanoi Market Control Department said that from now until near the Lunar New Year, the department would enhance food inspections.
The Central Steering Board for Food Safety and Hygiene was cited by Tuoi Tre Newspaper as saying that the board will set up 10 inspection teams to examine food safety and hygiene regulations in 21 provinces and cities.
Inspections will be carried out from December 12, 2011 to January 30, 2012. The inspection will focus on the origin, quality, authenticity of products and food safety and hygiene.