Place chemical detectors in the market

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, this will be a rapid testing device, focusing on "screening" for residue indicators of pesticides, antibiotics, preservatives... and placed in wholesale markets.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade announced a food safety hotline a long time ago, but it has not yet officially operated.

Still waiting for administrative procedures

Speaking with Tien Phong, Mr. Nguyen Nhu Tiep, Director of the Department of Agricultural, Forestry and Fishery Product Quality Management - Nafiqad (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) said that after receiving instructions from Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has issued a document guiding Hanoi in installing food safety inspection equipment in markets.

According to Mr. Tiep, deploying a quality control department and equipment to check food safety indicators at wholesale markets is necessary (to provide quick testing services for households, businesses, and consumers). The selection of equipment must be appropriate to the nature, type of food, and risk of food safety loss for each corresponding product in each market.

Tet chicken stall, flies swarming at a market in Hanoi

Nafiqad leaders said that due to the short storage time of goods at wholesale markets, it is necessary to focus on rapid testing and screening equipment. Rapid testing kits need to be "tested" for residue indicators of pesticides, chemicals, antibiotics, preservatives, etc. Hanoi needs to develop a project, clearly defining the goals and scale of investment for each market model. On the other hand, for the testing results to have legal value; the investment contents must be consistent with current standards and regulations.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the list of rapid test kits allowed to be circulated in our country is currently managed by the Ministry of Health. Rapid test kits are used to control food safety during the production, processing, and trading of food; helping households, businesses, and consumers in the process of choosing food, and supporting inspection work.

However, the above results are only used for screening and guiding the next confirmatory tests in the laboratory, not for handling violations. Mr. Tiep said that in reality, the rapid testing equipment is not a big machine and can be purchased domestically.

Speaking to Tien Phong, Ms. Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc, Vice Chairwoman of the Hanoi People's Committee, said that the installation of food safety "screening" equipment has not yet been implemented, and is awaiting instructions from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. "The problem is what kind of machine, who will inspect it, what its legal nature is, how the results will be announced... Funding is not a difficult issue for the city. It is expected that the equipment will be installed at wholesale markets," Ms. Ngoc said.

Previously, at a meeting with Hanoi on food safety assurance (January 16), Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam assigned Hanoi to coordinate with relevant ministries to arrange food safety testing equipment at a number of markets and supermarkets. The Deputy Prime Minister also assigned the Ministry of Health, Industry and Trade, and Agriculture and Rural Development to support Hanoi in food safety testing, guide the selection of equipment, and ensure the validity of testing results.

Hot wire, but not working

On February 17, Mr. Do Thanh Lam, Deputy Director of the Market Management Department (Ministry of Industry and Trade) said that the food safety hotline of the market management force has not yet been put into operation. When asked why it was announced to the press a long time ago but not immediately put into operation to support consumers, Mr. Lam said: "Currently, the hotline is in the trial run. When it is operational, we will notify."

Previously, on February 7, the Market Management Department announced the hotline number: 1900585826. This phone number is expected to operate smoothly and continuously 24/24 hours. When organizations and individuals report, their identity, phone number, address, and reflection content will be kept confidential, as well as the confidentiality of information of the state management agency.

According to Vietnam.net