Are vegetables from the supermarket really clean?

The product has undergone quality checks from the production to the distribution stage before reaching the consumer.

Big C supermarket offers two types of vegetables: clean vegetables produced according to VGAP standards and vegetables from cooperatives under contract, following safe production processes. VGAP vegetables undergo rigorous quality checks by the supermarket, verifying all relevant food safety and hygiene certificates from relevant authorities before being sold. Non-VGAPP vegetables are subject to stricter quality control throughout the cultivation process, including monitoring the input, methods, and dosages of fertilizers and pesticides used. Regular and random sampling is also conducted. Importantly, all vegetables and root crops clearly state the production address and packaging date.

Ms. Duong Thi Quynh Trang, Director of External Relations at Big C, stated: "Besides checking the quality of clean vegetables according to Vietnamese government standards, we also check the safety of clean vegetables according to Big C's own standards. During our cooperation with suppliers, we regularly send personnel to inspect whether producers comply with the committed procedures and conduct quick tests to check for pesticide residue."

At Saigon Co.op, in addition to strict origin checks at the farming sites, vegetables are also sampled and tested once they reach the supermarkets. This year, Saigon Co.op has taken over 400 samples of vegetables and tubers for food safety and hygiene checks. For Tet (Lunar New Year), Saigon Co.op has prepared 16,000 tons of clean vegetables and tubers. This amount is more than 25% higher than usual, and the vegetables undergo rigorous quality checks.

Meanwhile, at Saigon Supermarket (Satramart), more than 40 varieties of leafy vegetables are imported from Binh Dien wholesale company, a member unit of Saigon Trading Corporation.

Mr. Giang Minh Truong, Director of Saigon Supermarket (Satramart), said: "The supermarket continuously applies food safety and hygiene procedures. When suppliers bring vegetables to the supermarket, we re-select them; any vegetables that do not meet the standards are discarded, while those that do meet the standards are put on the shelves. We always have a supply of fresh, clean vegetables stored in cold storage to continuously serve our customers."

To ensure the quality of fruits and vegetables in supermarkets, the authorities in Ho Chi Minh City regularly organize teams to collect vegetable samples for testing.

According to Ms. Le Ngoc Dao, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Industry and Trade, vegetables sold in supermarkets in the city are currently quite safe in terms of quality control.

“We operate a chain of food stores and clean vegetable stores under the VGAP program. Currently, Savefood is building a clean vegetable supply chain, providing clean vegetables to supermarkets and collective kitchens to supply clean vegetables to the people of the city,” Ms. Dao said.

Therefore, it can be affirmed that fruits and vegetables at supermarkets in Ho Chi Minh City are completely safe and hygienic. The products undergo inspection from production to distribution before reaching consumers. Therefore, consumers can rest assured when using clean vegetables from supermarket chains.

According to VOV