HÀ NỘI — Deputy Prime Minister Vũ Đức Đam has called for increased management of food, especially imported food products, as the Tết (Lunar New Year) holiday approaches.

The Deputy PM asked ministries, central agencies and local authorities to strengthen the inspection and examination of suppliers to ensure they observe food safety laws.

He asked agencies and authorities to focus on supervising food safety during the Tết holiday and spring festivals after Tết, with attention paid to preventing food poisoning, especially with alcohol.

The units continued to implement measures on controlling the use of plant protection medicine, chemicals and antibiotics in food production and processing, as well as measures to protect the environment, especially in rural areas.

The management of slaughter-houses, fresh food stalls and waste treatment measures to ensure environmental hygiene should be promoted.

The Deputy PM assigned the Ministry of Health to assume the main responsibility and coordinate with related ministries, agencies and provincial people’s committees in developing the Prime Minister’s directive.

The ministries of health, agriculture and rural development, industry and commerce, are coordinating and going to complete the food safety information system, which will create effective tools for community-based management and supervision, supporting food production enterprises.

City and provincial people’s committees will strengthen the capacity of functional agencies, ensure facilities, funding, and human resources for food safety management in the province.

According to the Ministry of Health, as of November 30, 2018, the country recorded 97 food poisoning cases, with nearly 2,950 hospitalised victims and 16 deaths. — VNS