Candy of unknown origin is everywhere in front of school gates in Nghe An

Nowadays, the area in front of schools often has many grocery stores and carts with a variety of products. Most of them are candy, children's toys with a variety of designs and eye-catching colors. It is not difficult to recognize the image of children gathering in groups of three or five to buy candy in front of the school gates every day.

Many goods and candies of various designs and colors attract students in front of school gates. Photo: QA

It is worth mentioning that candies and cakes are sold in all kinds and colors, from spicy candies to lollipops, lipstick-shaped candies, candy in lollipops, seasoned rice paper, candy bars... are sold everywhere at extremely cheap prices, only from 1,000 - 5,000 VND/piece...

For example, in front of Ben Thuy Primary School, Ben Thuy Ward, Vinh City, there are 6 grocery stores. Before and after school hours, students of this school often buy snacks and cakes in front of the gate. According to observations, the cakes that the students eat are contained in a large plastic box, containing about 20 bars, and the owner sells each bar for 2,000 VND. The candy bars are bright red, and look like pieces of cut foam soaked in food coloring and spices, with a greasy smell. However, this is a favorite food of many students because of its cheap price and unique taste.

Images of students buying and eating food of unknown origin in front of school gates are common. Photo taken in front of Ben Thuy Primary School, Vinh City. Photo: QA

In addition, there are many types of candy and cakes with Chinese characters printed on them, without labels in Vietnamese with full information as required. In particular, some types of candy are weighed, put in a large bag, and sold at the price that students want to buy. When asked about the origin of these candies, most shop owners waved their hands and did not answer, others said vaguely that they got them from agents, and that someone brought the goods to the shop every day...

Students buy candies of unknown origin in front of the school gate in Vinh City. Photo: QA

Packaged chicken feet marinated with spices are printed with Chinese characters on the packaging and sold in front of school gates. Photo: QA

Realizing these existing risks, since the beginning of May, localities in the province have simultaneously launched inspections and reviews of food safety and hygiene issues, especially in front of school gates with alarming numbers.

In Thanh Chuong town, a working group with full force including leaders of the town People's Committee, police, health and cultural officers organized a goods inspection in front of school gates. As a result, the local authorities drew up a record confiscating more than 50kg of goods, mainly confectionery of unknown origin and expired. It is worth mentioning that this is only the amount of goods at 5/15 shops in front of school gates.

These candies have no information or origin, and are sold at extremely cheap prices of only a few thousand dong in front of school gates, so children love them. Photo: QA

Dien Chau district is the locality with the most drastic campaign in recent times. In May 2023, about 50% of communes simultaneously launched a campaign to check this situation. As a result, each locality confiscated from tens to hundreds of kilograms of poor quality confectionery and food without invoices proving their origin.

Dien Lam commune is the locality that implements this movement the most strongly in Dien Chau district. In May alone, the commune has conducted 3 inspections on food safety and hygiene issues on May 9, May 16 and May 19 with 17 kiosks. As a result, the locality has drawn up a record to confiscate over 300 kg of goods and confectionery that do not meet quality standards. This is a very worrying number.

Dien Lam Commune, Dien Chau District destroyed toxic goods in the presence of parents on May 19. Photo: QA

Not only in the lowland districts, the movement to check goods of unknown origin has also been carried out in mountainous areas in recent days. The peculiarity of these localities is that although the quantity of goods is less, due to the level of awareness as well as difficult conditions, the purchase of poor quality, cheap goods is still common.

From May 14 to 16, Tam Quang commune, Tuong Duong district also inspected grocery stores in the area, confiscating about 4 tons of candies of unknown origin and expired. On May 18, the locality conducted visual propaganda for students and destroyed these goods according to regulations.

Tam Quang Commune, Tuong Duong District destroys confiscated toxic items in front of students. Photo: QA

In fact, the problem of lossfood safetyin front of school gates “although not new, it is always hot”, because this situation still occurs every day, every hour, directly affecting the health of children. Therefore, to completely handle this problem, it is necessary to implement many synchronous solutions and have close coordination between parents, schools, local authorities and functional agencies.

In particular, for local authorities and functional forces, it is necessary to regularly deploy to achieve good results, not just stopping at the movement, at the same time, it is necessary to increase sanctions to deter violating businesses, because in reality, in the past, localities have mainly only reminded and signed commitments, so the risk of shop owners re-offending still exists./.