Install chemical detectors in the market.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, this will be a rapid testing device, focusing on detecting pesticide residues, antibiotics, preservatives, etc., and will be placed in wholesale markets.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade has announced a food safety hotline a long time ago, but it has yet to officially become operational.

Still waiting for administrative procedures.

Speaking to Tien Phong newspaper, Mr. Nguyen Nhu Tiep, Director of the National Agro-Forestry and Fisheries Quality Management Department - Nafiqad (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development), said that following instructions from Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has issued a document guiding Hanoi on the installation of food safety inspection equipment in markets.

According to Mr. Tiep, deploying quality control departments and equipment to test food safety indicators at wholesale markets is necessary (to provide quick testing services for household owners, businesses, and consumers). The selection of equipment needs to be appropriate to the nature and type of food, and the risk of food safety violations for each corresponding product in each market.

Flies swarm around a chicken stall selling Tet (Vietnamese New Year) chickens at a Hanoi market.

According to Nafiqad leaders, due to the short storage time of goods at wholesale markets, there is a need to focus on rapid testing and screening equipment. These rapid test kits should target pesticide residues, chemicals, antibiotics, preservatives, etc. Hanoi needs to develop a plan, clearly defining the objectives and scale of investment for each market model. Furthermore, to ensure the legal validity of the test results, the investment must comply with current standards and regulations.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the list of rapid test kits permitted for circulation in Vietnam is currently managed by the Ministry of Health. These rapid test kits are used to control food safety during the production, processing, and sale of food; assisting households, businesses, and consumers in selecting food, and supporting inspection and enforcement efforts.

However, the above results are only used for screening and guiding subsequent confirmatory tests in the laboratory, and are not used to handle violations. Mr. Tiep said that, in reality, the rapid testing devices are not elaborate machines and can be purchased domestically.

Speaking to Tien Phong newspaper, Ms. Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc, Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee, said that the installation of food safety inspection equipment has not yet been implemented, and they are awaiting guidance from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. "The issues are what kind of equipment it will be, who will inspect it, what its legal status is, and how the results will be announced... Funding is not a problem for the city. The equipment is expected to be installed at wholesale markets," Ms. Ngoc said.

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

The live wire is connected, but it's not working.

On February 17th, Mr. Do Thanh Lam, Deputy Director of the Market Management Department (Ministry of Industry and Trade), stated that the food safety hotline of the market management force is not yet operational. When asked why it had been announced to the press a long time ago but not yet operational to support consumers, Mr. Lam said: “Currently, the hotline is in the testing phase. We will announce when it becomes operational.”

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

According to Vietnam.net