Prime Minister requests to strengthen food poisoning prevention

Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long has just signed Directive No. 38/CT-TTg dated October 11, 2024 of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh requesting ministries, branches and localities to strengthen food poisoning prevention.

Monitoring food poisoning risks

In order to continue improving the effectiveness of food poisoning prevention, the Prime Minister requested the Ministry of Health to strengthen the implementation of food safety prevention, containment and remediation, especially the prevention of food poisoning risks; promptly correct limitations and shortcomings (if any).

Regularly urge and inspect the implementation of this work in localities, especially in key areas, large cities, tourist areas... where there are many collective kitchens, food service establishments for workers, students, tourists...; minimize the risk of food poisoning.

Promote information and propaganda about the risks of food poisoning and food poisoning prevention, especially at tourist sites, school kitchens, industrial parks, export processing zones, and street food.

The Ministry of Health directs the full and effective implementation of measures to monitor food poisoning risks, provide information and warnings about food poisoning risks caused by microorganisms, natural toxins, etc.

Strengthen inspection of compliance with food safety laws, pay attention to strengthening the direction of surprise inspections, especially in high-risk areas, and strictly handle violations according to regulations.

At the same time, the Ministry of Health directs emergency and timely treatment for people with food poisoning, ensuring the best health and lives of people when food poisoning occurs; proactively and promptly supports localities in handling and overcoming the consequences of food poisoning when necessary.

The Prime Minister requested the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Industry and Trade to fully perform their responsibilities in coordinating with the Ministry of Health in investigating the cause; take the lead in tracing the origin and handling food poisoning.

Regularly monitor hazards and risks of food poisoning caused by pesticides, methanol in alcohol, etc.; promote information and communication about the risks of food poisoning and food poisoning prevention for product groups in the assigned management areas.

Strengthening criminal handling of those who trade in poor quality food

The Ministry of Public Security shall strengthen the fight against and prevent crimes and violations of the law in food production and trading; step up criminal handling of organizations and individuals who commit serious violations, especially smuggling, production, storage and trading of fake and poor-quality foods according to the law.

The Ministry of Information and Communications, Vietnam Television, Voice of Vietnam, Vietnam News Agency and press agencies should step up information and propaganda on measures to ensure food safety in food production, processing, trading and consumption, and identify and prevent risks of food poisoning.

Surprise food safety inspections at collective cafeterias

The Prime Minister also requested the People's Committees of provinces and centrally run cities to allocate sufficient funding, resources, staffing quotas, and improve the capacity of staff to meet the requirements of state management of food safety in the area.

Regularly assess food poisoning risks and implement necessary measures to prevent food poisoning in the area.

Strengthen inspection, examination and surprise inspection of compliance with regulations on food safety conditions for small-scale food production and trading establishments, street food, food service establishments, food safety at local markets, collective canteens and subjects under decentralized management.

Strictly handle violations, resolutely suspend operations of establishments that do not ensure food safety, recall and handle unsafe food and food at risk of poisoning.

Organize training, update knowledge, arrange resources, and conduct drills to respond to incidents and food poisoning that may occur in the area.

The People's Committees of provinces and cities direct the strengthening of the responsibility of local authorities in grasping the situation, inspecting and handling violations of food safety regulations for organizations and individuals producing and trading food, especially those in catering services and street food; promptly handling and informing about incidents, risks and food poisoning cases in the area.