Prime Minister: Criminal prosecution for serious violations of food safety

The Prime Minister requested Ho Chi Minh City leaders to apply strict sanctions, even criminal prosecution, if there are serious violations of food safety regulations.

After inspecting the compliance with food safety regulations at a number of establishments in Ho Chi Minh City, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam worked with key city leaders on food safety management.

Prime Minister chairs working session with key leaders of Ho Chi Minh City

Concluding the meeting, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc assessed: The leaders and people of the city have well implemented the major policies of the Party and State on food safety, areas related to health and breeds. According to the leaders of Ho Chi Minh City, the city has implemented a number of breakthrough programs and projects in ensuring food safety in the city, such as: Project to improve the competitiveness of the livestock industry; Pilot implementation of specialized food safety inspection activities of districts, wards, communes and towns.

The Prime Minister praised Ho Chi Minh City for seriously and synchronously implementing the directives and effectively organizing the implementation of the food safety project along the chain; holding clean agricultural product sessions every Saturday; and publicly announcing establishments that ensure and do not ensure food safety.

The city has also effectively implemented the pilot specialized inspection according to Decision 38, which was initiated by Ho Chi Minh City.

However, the Prime Minister reminded the City leaders that people are not completely assured of the current food safety quality, especially food in temporary markets, street food; and food sources imported from other places into the City.

In food safety control measures, the Prime Minister once again emphasized the responsibility of local leaders when food safety incidents occur. The Prime Minister especially reminded the leaders of Ho Chi Minh City that the number of establishments violating food safety regulations is still large. Since the beginning of the year, 641 establishments have been inspected, and up to 30% of them have violated.

The Prime Minister cited the example of the Chairman of Tan Thanh Ward, Tan Phu District, who has a firm grasp of food establishments in the area for management.

The Prime Minister expressed: “I am very happy that the young Chairman of Tan Thanh Ward speaks fluently about food safety in the area, knows how many pho shops there are, how many places produce vermicelli, ham, and sausage in the ward. That is a worthy example. If you understand too much in general, understand the policies and guidelines very well but do not understand the practical aspects related to the people, it will not have any practical effect on the people. Meanwhile, our actions are to serve the people.”

Regarding the tasks in the coming time, the Prime Minister requested the leaders of Ho Chi Minh City to proactively strengthen inspections on food safety and hygiene; focus on planning the development of clean food supply chains, including calculating links with localities to establish clean livestock, vegetable, fruit and vegetable farming areas; continue to promote and mobilize production and processing facilities to ensure food safety.

Along with that process, the Prime Minister requested Ho Chi Minh City leaders to apply strict sanctions, even criminal prosecution, if there are serious violations of food safety regulations.

The Prime Minister directed Ho Chi Minh City to continue investing in mobile testing labs at wholesale markets, equipment, and vehicles to strengthen food safety inspections.

The Prime Minister said: “I have not seen any unit of the City talking about labs or mobile vehicles, except for Co.opmart talking about rapid food testing equipment. I welcome this. But all other units must do it, not just Co.opmart. The City needs mobile vehicles for mobile and rapid testing. Having such vehicles is also a way to warn and educate food producers and suppliers that they must provide clean food, otherwise they will be discovered. Hanoi bought 5 vehicles, Ho Chi Minh City must also consider this.”

At the meeting, the Prime Minister said that he would summarize the city level and 5 years of implementing the Law on Food Safety and Hygiene, including Ho Chi Minh City.

The Prime Minister also agreed to let Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi continue to pilot the extension of specialized inspections according to Decision 38 of the Prime Minister./.

According to VOV.VN