To ensure food safety during the First Full Moon Festival
The number of tourists visiting historical sites and scenic spots in Binh Duong province is on the rise. As a result, the demand for food services is increasing, which also heightens the risk of food poisoning. In light of this situation, it is essential for the authorities to strengthen inspections, supervision, and enforcement of regulations. Additionally, community involvement is crucial in addressing this issue.
Strictly handle violations
After Tet, the festival season reaches its peak. From now until the end of the 15th day of the first lunar month, the number of visitors and tourists coming to Binh Duong to participate in the festivities is steadily increasing. The vibrant festival atmosphere is complemented by a wide variety of food and beverage options. In Thu Dau Mot City, preparations for the Full Moon Festival are underway, including regular inspections focused on key aspects of food safety. Authorities remind food business owners to implement proper food safety measures, ensure food preservation, sign safety commitments, and comply with regulatory requirements.
Ms. Vo Thuy Hang, Head of Thu Dau Mot City Health Office, said that at the beginning of the year, many large and famous festivals took place in the area, thus before Tet, the city established an interdisciplinary inspection team on food safety; increased inspection of items that people consume a lot during the festival such as fast food, drinks, packaged foods, etc. In addition to inspection and handling of violations, the city and 14 wards also disseminate information to ensure food safety and prevent food poisoning for all groups of food producers, sellers and consumers during the spring festival season. “The sectors aim to impose strict penalties for violations of food safety and hygiene in production, processing, and business”, said Ms. Vo Thuy Hang.
When eating and drinking, consumers need to choose reputable food businesses with full licenses; when processing, they need to wash their hands, cutting board surfaces and preparation areas; do not share containers for raw and cooked food; eat cooked food, drink boiled water, and should not eat raw food because it contains many worms, parasites, microorganisms and bacteria that are harmful to the body; always store food at the right temperature; do not eat food that has been left out for a long time, is moldy or spoiled. People should not buy food of unknown origin or untested and should use fresh food for processing. |
Previously, Ms. Nguyen Thu Cuc, Chairwoman of Thu Dau Mot City People's Committee, also directed localities with historical relics and scenic spots that attract many tourists during the Full Moon Festival in January to develop plans to ensure food safety and hygiene. Wards coordinate with relevant agencies and departments to inspect establishments for business licenses, food safety certificates (establishments that must be granted certificates), health examination records of establishment owners and people directly in contact with food, and lists of food safety knowledge requirements for people in contact with food... Sectors and localities instruct restaurant and hotel owners to properly implement food safety and hygiene regulations, such as: Health check, update food safety knowledge...
At Chau Thoi mountain in Binh An ward, Di An city, more than 20 households selling breakfast and fast food have signed a commitment with the local government to ensure food safety and hygiene. Forces of the People's Committee of Binh An ward also mobilized to beautify the urban area, avoiding chaotic trading that causes loss of beauty in the Chau Thoi mountain area.
Ms. Do Thi Chien, the owner of a "Phở" restaurant located at the entrance of Chau Thoi Mountain, stated, "We have committed to the local authorities to display reasonable prices and prepare delicious, safe food in order to build trust with tourists. We hope to contribute to making Di An City a safe destination for pilgrims."
Strengthen inspection and supervision
To ensure food safety for tourists visiting the landscape and pagodas, the Provincial Food Safety Steering Committee has proactively developed plans and established inspection teams for collective kitchens, restaurants, hotels, and street food vendors. This year, with the motto of "Maintaining our prestige with tourists from around the world," various sectors and localities in the province have heightened their vigilance to limit food poisoning incidents. This effort is crucial to preserving the image of Binh Duong and its people in the minds of tourists who come to offer incense during the First Full Moon Festival.
Typically, during Tet, the Provincial Food Safety Steering Committee simultaneously launched food safety inspections at the provincial, district and city levels. Accordingly, the Provincial Food Safety Steering Committee established 134 inspection teams to inspect 998 establishments. As a result, 110 food production, processing and trading establishments were discovered to violate hygiene conditions of establishments, conditions of equipment, tools and human resources. The delegations fined 35 establishments with a total amount of more than 262 million VND; forced 7 establishments to stop operating and warned 68 establishments. During the inspection process, the interdisciplinary teams guided and reminded some establishments to list their prices. They raised awareness among business owners about maintaining brand reputation with customers and consumers while also propagating state regulations on food safety.
Doctor Huynh Minh Chin, Deputy Director of Provincial Department of Health, stated that due to effective food safety inspections, there were no cases of food poisoning or food safety incidents that affected the health of individuals celebrating the Lunar New Year holiday. Regarding ensuring food safety after Tet and the Spring Festival season in 2025, especially the First Full Moon Festival, the health sector directs Medical Centers of districts and cities to proactively coordinate with agencies to deploy food safety monitoring in accordance with the situation and characteristics of each locality.
“Local authorities are accountable for large-scale food poisoning incidents. The Office of Food Safety and Hygiene is the primary agency responsible for organizing guidance, monitoring, and urging local authorities to implement necessary measures. Medical examination and treatment facilities are ready with emergency plans, hospital beds, equipment, and timely treatment for people with food poisoning in crowded events, and many people suffer from food poisoning," added Dr. Huynh Minh Chin.
Reported by Kim Ha - Translated by Ngoc Huynh
