In Vietnam, over 22,000 establishments found violating food safety regulations in 2024: minister

Speaking at a National Assembly grilling session on Friday, Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan revealed that of the 22,073 facilities found to be in violation, 9,043 were subjected to administrative measures, resulting in fines totaling over VND33 billion (US$1.3 million).

Minister Lan emphasized the critical importance of food safety in protecting public health, especially for students at all levels, from preschool to university.

Ensuring the quality and safety of school meals is not only about preventing food poisoning, but about securing the nutritional foundation of the next generation, she stated.

The Ministry of Health, in coordination with the Ministry of Education and Training, has implemented an array of measures to bolster food safety in educational institutions.

Inter-ministerial circulars such as Circular 08/2008 on school food safety and Circular 13/2016 on school health regulations have been adopted to boost food safety.

Additionally, schools with boarding or semi-boarding kitchens must comply with stringent guidelines on hygiene, equipment, and staff health certifications, in accordance with national standards and regulations.

Schools without their own kitchens but contracting external food services must also meet detailed criteria to ensure compliance and safety across the supply chain.

The minister underlined that the ministry had worked closely with the Ministry of Education and Training, as well as local authorities, to step up both scheduled and unannounced inspections, particularly targeting school kitchens and large-scale canteens.

These efforts were meant to minimize the risk of mass food poisoning, which could affect a large number of students in a single incident.

Despite these inspections, food safety violations in schools persist, which she attributed to both subjective and objective factors.

High temperatures, improper food preparation, lack of transparency in meal provision, and budget constraints were cited as contributing causes.

Currently, meal services are delivered through a mix of models, from certified catering businesses to teachers or hired staff preparing meals on-site, which, she noted, poses challenges in maintaining consistent standards.

The ministry will collaborate with the education ministry and the Vietnam Association of Small and Medium Enterprises to move toward a more professional, standardized meal system that ensures food safety, service quality, and traceability, she said.

She also emphasized the need to raise the responsibility and capacity of food preparation staff at educational institutions in remote areas.