The figures, covering the period from January 1 to November 20, show a decline compared with the same period in 2024, when the number of incidents fell by 54 cases, infections dropped by 2,744 and fatalities decreased by one.
The data were included in the ministry’s report reviewing health sector performance in 2025 and outlining priorities for 2026-2030.
Vietnam sees 74 food poisoning cases in first 11 months (Photo by Chi Anh)
During the year, health authorities stepped up inspections and enforcement nationwide. A total of 252,669 food-related establishments were inspected, with 14,107 found to be in violation of food safety regulations, accounting for 5.58 per cent of those checked.
Of the violating facilities, 3,811 were penalised, or 27.01 per cent, up from 22.2 per cent a year earlier. Authorities imposed fines totalling VND 17.6 billion (USD 670,000), shut 40 establishments and ordered the destruction of 141 types of unsafe food at 256 facilities.
The Ministry of Health said it had also deployed eight inspection teams to strengthen oversight, including post-market checks on the online sale and advertising of health supplements.
Food safety supervision has been intensified across both central and local levels, with authorities strengthening monitoring of collective kitchens, school canteens and street food vendors, which are considered high-risk sources of food poisoning.
The ministry has tightened efforts to curb counterfeit and substandard health products, especially those sold online, working with other agencies to monitor media, websites and social platforms and tackle illegal advertising.
Authorities said public education on food safety would be expanded, alongside stricter inspections and enforcement, to better protect consumers nationwide.
