We must boycott "dirty dog ​​meat" from society!

(Baonghean)Following the series of articles "Beware of contaminated dog meat" published in Nghe An Newspaper from January 23 to 26, 2013, a reporter from Nghe An Newspaper had an interview with Mr. Dao Trong Dung - Head of the Provincial Food Safety and Hygiene Department, and he shared the following opinion.

Mr. Dao Trong Dung

Reporter:What are your comments on the series of articles "Beware of contaminated dog meat" published by Nghe An newspaper from January 23-26, 2013?

Mr. Dao Trong Dung:The series of articles "Beware of Unsafe Dog Meat" published by Nghe An Newspaper has sounded an alarm to those who "love" dog meat, and also reminded relevant authorities to take action to ensure the safety and quality of this food. Dog theft was previously known for methods such as strangling dogs (causing suffocation) and snatching them from people walking their dogs... but now, dog thieves are recklessly using poisons to bait their dogs, and some dog meat businesses are disregarding consumer health, deliberately selling "unsafe" dog meat. It is imperative that relevant authorities take decisive action to put an end to this phenomenon and protect consumer health.

PV:What is the role of the Food Safety and Hygiene Sub-Department in ensuring food safety in general and "contaminated dog meat" in particular in the province, sir?

Mr. Dao Trong Dung: According to the Food Safety Law, the role of the health sector in general and the Food Safety and Hygiene Sub-departments of provinces and centrally-administered cities in particular is to advise the leaders of the Department of Health and the Provincial People's Committee on the state management of five product groups: functional foods, foods fortified with micronutrients; food additives; food processing aids; bottled water, purified water; and food containers and packaging. They are also responsible to the Provincial People's Committee for managing food service establishments and street food vendors. Therefore, food service businesses fall under the responsibility of the health sector.

According to the Food Safety Law, dog meat businesses fall under the management authority of the People's Committee of wards, communes, and towns, with the main advisory role of the Health Centers of districts, towns, and cities, and the Health Stations of wards, communes, and towns.

With its functions, the Provincial Food Safety and Hygiene Sub-Department will direct the Health Centers of districts, cities, and towns so that these units can promptly organize and implement tasks to ensure food safety in their respective areas.

PV:The issue of "contaminated dog meat" is causing negative public opinion. What are your thoughts on this, and what measures need to be taken in the future?

Mr. Dao Trong Dung:The problem of "contaminated dog meat" not only affects consumer health but also poses a major headache for authorities responsible for ensuring food safety and hygiene, as well as maintaining social order and security. This phenomenon needs to be minimized and eradicated from society.

In my opinion, the issue that needs to be addressed in the coming period requires a coordinated and decisive effort from dog owners, law enforcement agencies, food safety and hygiene management agencies, dog meat restaurant owners, and consumers...

Specifically for the health sector, we will strengthen the dissemination of the Food Safety Law, provide training and improve understanding of food safety and hygiene for the public and dog meat shop owners; coordinate with the People's Committees of wards, communes, and towns to perform management functions in their areas; conduct inspections and take samples for testing, and if toxins (such as cyanide, mercury, etc.) are detected in commercial dog meat, strict action will be taken according to the law. At the same time, we believe that with the current situation of dog meat businesses, we propose that the People's Committees of districts, towns, and cities organize rigorous assessments of conditions such as location, premises, personnel, proof of origin of goods, and commitments to ensuring food safety and hygiene. Only if safety and quality are guaranteed should business licenses be granted. But most importantly, the public and the community should boycott "dirty dog ​​meat" from society.

PV:Thank you, sir!

PV (performed by)