Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on October 8 asked HCM City to develop clean food supply chains by collaborating with other localities to form safe farming areas.

He made the request while working with the municipal leaders after suddenly inspecting food facilities in Binh Chanh and Tan Phu districts and a Coop Mart supermarket in District 11.

HCM City need to intensify inspection of food safety and hygiene and encourage food processing facilities to ensure food safety, he said, adding that anyone violating food safety regulations will be strictly punished.

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc speaking during his meeting with HCM City officials on safe food

He instructed the southern city to invest more in mobile testing labs in wholesale markets as well as equipment to check food safety.

According to the municipal leaders, HCM City has paid due attention to ensuring food safety, with the development of clean and safe food production models, the formation of safe food supply chains and the application of good manufacturing practices (GMP) and a HACCP -based food safety management system.

However, due to small-scale production, the city’s agricultural output only meets 20 to 30 percent of its demand and the remaining has to be imported from other localities.

Since September 1, 2015, the competent forces carried out inspections on food safety at 1,158 out of 7,097 facilities and fined 396 ones.

Earlier, the PM made a fact-finding trip to Tan Phu district, where he enjoyed a pho bowl at small eatery, checked the process of preparing meals for workers in Binh Chanh district and visited a Coop Mart supermarket on Ly Thuong Kiet street.

Source: VNA