HÀ NỘI – Hà Nội plans to launch a pilot programme on using technology to trace the origins of agricultural products in an effort to ensure consumer health. 

According to the plan issued by the Hà Nội People’s Committee, starting this year the city will use a quick response (QR) code plastering application to provide information about fruits at shops in the city.

The plan aims to improve the efficiency of state management of food safety, strengthen management capacity and control the quality and traceability of agricultural products in Hà Nội.

It also aims to reduce administrative procedures, management costs and human resources, save time and raise the effectiveness of the fight against smuggling and trade fraud.

Along with the pilot application of QR codes to control the origin of fruits, the city will also apply a pilot authentication code against fake goods and use QR codes to trace the sources of some products such as vegetables, meats and seafood.

The city will also set up regulations and identification codes to establish a safe food chain in the city and a data centre to enable internet access to check product information with smartphones or devices set up at agricultural product shops.

According to the city’s roadmap, in 2019 the QR code application will be expanded to use for traceability of other agricultural products, production facilities, farms, slaughterhouses, large-scale processing establishments, supermarkets, wholesale markets and market management boards.

In 2020, all chains of production in the city will apply QR codes to trace origins and provide transparency for consumers. 

At the same time, the rate of traceability by QR code in small-scale production and business establishments will increase by 30-50 per cent.

The City People’s Committee assigns the Hà Nội Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to co-ordinate with related units to set up plans to maintain and develop the application of QR codes for product traceability in the city. – VNS