HÀ NỘI — Deputy Prime Minister Vũ Đức Đam has urged HCM City to boost the application of high technology in tracing the origins of food products as a way to gradually change the habits of production and consumption to improve awareness of food safety.

“In the long term, we need to meet the targets that ensure all people in the country can consume standardised and high quality food products like those that are for export,” stressed Deputy PM Đam yesterday.

The Deputy PM made the request on a working tour to some food production and trading enterprises in HCM City where he also learned about their food safety activities.

He also visited cooking areas and canteens for workers at such enterprises to examine the quality of food and hygienic procedures there.

Visiting San Hà Limited Company, one of the enterprises producing and trading fresh and frozen poultry meat in HCM City, the Deputy PM highly praised the company’s food service chain, saying it had met food safety inspection guidelines.

The company’s food service chain is implemented basing on the principle of taking the food "from the farm straight to the table".

He hoped many other food enterprises in HCM City would follow such form.

“The importance is that enterprises should ensure the connection to small-scale farmers to attract them to participate in the safe food chain," said Đam.

Labour safety and hygiene

Also yesterday, Deputy PM Đam attended a launching ceremony of the action month for labour safety and hygiene in HCM City.

The event, which aims to focus on measures to prevent and control dangerous and harmful factors at workplaces to mitigate occupational accidents and diseases, has attracted the participation of foreign experts from the International Labour Organisation (ILO), businesses and over 600 workers in HCM City.

Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Đào Ngọc Dung asked relevant ministries, departments, localities and enterprises to implement the campaign effectively and take good care of workers for sustainable development of businesses and society.

He suggested increasing communication and training courses on labour safety and hygiene.

The minister warned that in the new period of development, Việt Nam is facing challenges on labour safety and hygiene due to the increasing number of enterprises and workers, new occupations, and harmful factors caused by new technology and chemicals.

Given that, he proposed the State management agencies step up inspections and apply strict punishment for companies violating regulations on labour safety and hygiene, while expanding effective models in sectors, industries and businesses as well as making good use of occupational accident and disease funds.

Chang Hee Lee, Director of the ILO Country Office for Việt Nam, recognised the achievements that the Vietnamese Government had gained in implementing the Law on labour safety and hygiene.

He said businesses played an important role in ensuring safety for the working environment and health of workers.

At the launching ceremony, the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs and the Việt Nam General Confederation of Labour presented certificates of merit to units and individuals in recognition of their active contributions to the field. — VNS