We need to boycott "dirty dog meat" from social life!
(Baonghean) -After the series of articles "Be careful with dirty dog meat" published in Nghe An Newspaper from January 23 to 26, 2013, Nghe An Newspaper reporters had an interview with Mr. Dao Trong Dung - Head of the Provincial Food Safety and Hygiene Department, and he had this opinion.
Mr. Dao Trong Dung
Reporter (PV):What do you think about the series of articles "Be careful with dirty dog meat" published by Nghe An newspaper from January 23-26, 2013?
Mr. Dao Trong Dung:The series of articles “Be careful with dirty dog meat” published by Nghe An Newspaper has rung the alarm bell for those who are “passionate” about dog meat, and at the same time reminded the authorities to intervene to ensure the safety and quality of this food. Dog theft has been known to be caught by strangling the dog (causing suffocation), snatching it from the hands of people walking the dog… but now, dog thieves have recklessly used toxic substances to poison and some dog meat shops have disregarded the health of consumers, deliberately selling “dirty” dog meat. It is thought that the authorities need to join forces to decisively end this phenomenon soon, in order to protect the health of consumers.
PV:What is the role of the Food Safety Department in ensuring food safety in general and "dirty 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 Department of provinces and centrally run cities in particular is to advise the leaders of the Department of Health and the Provincial People's Committee to perform the state management function of 5 types of product groups: functional foods, micronutrient-fortified foods; food additives; food processing aids; bottled drinking water, purified drinking water; utensils and packaging containing food. At the same time, it is responsible to the Provincial People's Committee for managing food service establishments and street food. Thus, the type of food service business is under the responsibility of the health sector.
According to the decentralization of the Food Safety Law, dog meat shops are under the management authority of the People's Committees of wards, communes and towns with the main advice of the Medical Centers of districts, towns and cities and the Health Stations of communes, wards and towns.
With its functions, the Provincial Food Safety and Hygiene Department will direct the Medical Centers of districts, cities and towns so that these units can promptly organize and implement tasks to ensure food safety in the area.
PV:The problem of “dirty dog meat” is causing negative public opinion in society. What do you think and what needs to be done in the future?
Mr. Dao Trong Dung:The problem of “dirty dog meat” not only affects the health of consumers but also causes headaches for authorities responsible for ensuring food safety and social order. This phenomenon needs to be minimized and boycotted from social life.
The issue that needs to be implemented in the coming time, in my opinion, requires synchronous and drastic participation from dog owners, security and order agencies, food safety management agencies, dog meat restaurant owners, and consumers...
Particularly for the health sector, we will strengthen the dissemination of the Food Safety Law, provide training and improve understanding of food safety for people, dog meat shop owners, etc.; Coordinate with the People's Committees of wards, communes and towns to perform management functions in the area; Conduct inspections and take samples for testing. If toxins (such as cyanide, mercury, etc.) are detected in commercial dog meat, we will strictly handle them according to the law. At the same time, we think that with the current situation of dog meat trading, we recommend that the People's Committees of districts, towns and cities organize strict appraisal of the conditions: location, premises, people, proof of origin of goods, commitments to ensure food safety, etc. If safety and quality are guaranteed, then a business license will be issued. But, most importantly, people and the community should boycott "dirty dog meat" from social life.
PV:Thank you!
PV (performed)