Inter-sectoral teams formed to check food safety for Tet

Six inter-sectoral teams will be set up to inspect food safety in 12 provinces and cities (Photo: VNA)

The teams from the Health Ministry, the Ministry of Trade and Industry, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will fan out to go to Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan, Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Ho Chi Minh City, Tay Ninh, Dong Thap, Tien Giang, Hanoi, Hung Yen, Lam Dong, and Dak Nong.

The move was decided by the central inter-sectoral steering committee for food safety, which also requested localities establish inspection teams to check the safety of foods that are largely consumed during Tet and festivals.

Inspections will be carried out from January 1 to March 25, 2019, looking to ensure hygiene standards are strictly adhered during the process of producing, processing, trading and using foods and minimize food poisoning cases. 

On the day, head of the food safety department of the Health Ministry Nguyen Thanh Phong said the department has fined 99 businesses a total sum of 6 billion VND for violating food safety regulations. 

During January-October, 91 food poisoning cases have been reported nationwide, mainly involved alcohol and poisonous mushrooms, claiming the lives of 15 people./.

VNA