A woman buys mooncakes in a cake shop in Hà Nội. — Illustrative Photo vietnamplus.vn

HÀ NỘI — The Việt Nam Food Administration under the Ministry of Health has ordered heads of departments of health in provinces and cities as well as relevant agencies to strengthen ensuring food hygiene and safety during the mid-autumn festival this year.

Nguyễn Thanh Phong, director of the administration, said during the mid-autumn festival, consumer demand for cakes and sweets, and especially mooncakes, often increases sharply.

Taking advantage of the demand, some individuals and organisations often illegally bring to the market a number of cakes and sweets without origin, he said.

Therefore, to tighten food hygiene and safety management during the mid-autumn festival, the administration told the relevant agencies in localities to inspect the observance of the provisions of the law on food safety by local food producers, food processing and trading establishments, he said.

According to the administration, food products that fail to meet food safety and hygiene standards must be revoked.

Authorised agencies will strictly handle violations and announce the establishment's name, address, and type of infringing products on the mass media.

If any criminal signs are found, the authorised agencies will transfer the case to the police agency for handling according to regulations.

The authorised agencies are tasked to actively coordinate with media agencies to strengthen communication and dissemination on food hygiene and safety during the mid-autumn festival.

The administration also said that food producers and food trading establishments were required to obey regulations on food hygiene and safety; requirements on knowledge and practices of people directly involved in food production; regulations on origin of food ingredients; regulations on using food colourings, flavourings, additives, packaging, and labelling.

Besides, the administration also warned consumers to only buy and use food products with full labels and clear origins.

In the meantime, medical facilities were told to prepare plans, human resources, vehicles, supplies and chemicals to be ready to give first aid and treatment to patients when food poisoning occurs, the administration said.

The mid-autumn festival in Việt Nam is a traditional event to celebrate the biggest full moon of the year, following the lunar calendar. This year, the mid-autumn festival falls on September 29. — VNS