"Strictly handle violators"

(Baonghean.vn) - That was the affirmation of Mr. Hoang Van Hao, Deputy Director of the Department of Health, with Nghe An Newspaper reporters in an interview on the morning of November 18, surrounding the case of many bottled water production facilities violating quality and using fake test results.

Reporter: Currently, public opinion is very concerned about the case of many bottled water establishments using fake test results, with water samples that do not meet quality standards. It is known that on the afternoon of November 17, the Department of Health had a meeting with the Department of Science and Technology regarding this issue. So, can you tell us the results of the meeting?

Mr. Hoang Van Hao:Immediately after receiving the information, the Department of Health directed the Food Safety and Hygiene Department to inspect and report to the Department of Health. At the same time, on the afternoon of November 17, the Department of Health had a working session with the Department of Science and Technology (the unit chairing the provincial interdisciplinary inspection team). The purpose of the meeting was to provide information, thereby clarifying related issues so that the Department could have appropriate handling directions.

After gathering all the information, the Department of Health decided that from today (November 18), it will withdraw the certificate of conformity and temporarily suspend the operations of 37 facilities that the inspection team concluded were using fake test results. For facilities whose water samples do not meet the standards, it is requested that these facilities immediately correct their violations.

The messy, unkempt production area of ​​a bottled water facility.

If these establishments wish to continue production and business, they must complete all required documents and take samples for testing that meet the standards. The Department has assigned the Food Safety and Hygiene Sub-Department to re-evaluate the procedures of these establishments regarding business conditions, food hygiene and safety, etc. If any establishment meets all the conditions, it will continue to issue a certificate of conformity.

At the same time, the Department has assigned the Food Safety Sub-Department to establish an inspection team with the participation of the Department Inspectorate and the Center for Preventive Medicine, to initially monitor the compliance of violating establishments. In the longer term, it will conduct inspections of the operations of all bottled water production establishments in the province.

PV: Clarifying the roles and responsibilities of relevant units and individuals is very important. So, how has the Department of Health carried out this work?

Mr. Hoang Van Hao:To have a solution, the Department of Health is assigning the Food Safety Sub-Department based on its functions and tasks to organize a collective review of the relevant individuals and groups who have committed violations. Specifically, it is necessary to clarify the reason why fake test results were allowed to slip through during the file review process. At the same time, it is necessary to clarify the post-inspection results of the Food Safety Sub-Department that did not detect the above violations after many inspections.

The kitchen area is located near the production area.

Regarding the information that an officer of the Food Safety Sub-Department issued fake certificates to establishments, the Department assigned the Sub-Department to direct this officer to make a report on the incident. On that basis, the Sub-Department will review, evaluate objectively and report to the Department of Health so that the Department can take measures to handle it. The Department's viewpoint is that it will not cover up or condone it, but will strictly handle it in accordance with the provisions of the law. The time limit for this officer to make a report is 7 working days, from the date the Provincial People's Committee issues a document approving the conclusion report of the inter-thousand inspection team.

PV: From the above incident, what lessons has the Department learned in management, direction and operation, especially in the field of food safety?

Mr. Hoang Van Hao:First of all, it must be affirmed that the Department of Health strongly agrees with and welcomes the results that the provincial interdisciplinary inspection team has pointed out. That information has helped the Department to evaluate and review its state management responsibilities in a more complete and comprehensive manner. From there, it has proposed specific solutions and tasks to clean up the market, ensure product quality and thereby ensure the health of consumers.

The results of the interdisciplinary inspection team accurately reflect the current situation of bottled water production in the province.

In the coming time, the Department of Health will strengthen the inspection and supervision of its affiliated units to detect violations and promptly correct and handle them. At the same time, the Department also requested the Food Safety Sub-Department to enhance responsibility, awareness and properly and fully implement the provisions of the law on food safety; strengthen post-inspection work to promptly detect violations and promptly handle them.

Currently, the Department is enhancing the public ethics of each cadre and civil servant. Through this event, the Department will continue to educate on the sense of responsibility, attitude, and service to the people to build an increasingly beautiful image of health sector cadres.

PV: Thank you!

Pham Bang