Food safety violations in Hanoi on the increase

Of the violators, more than 7,200 units had to pay fines exceeding a total of 37 billion VND (1.6 million USD) and had their unsafe food destroyed.

In 2016, the city examined more than 100,000 units, detected violations at about 16,000 units and collected fines of about 28 billion VND.

As many as 11 methanol poisoning cases with 37 people involved were reported in the city in 2017.

Ten of the 37 people died of methanol poisoning or alcohol intoxication.

During a month-long campaign against methanol poisoning starting in mid-March, the health department tested more than 3,550 samples of alcohol across the city. After testing 112 samples, five samples were found to have methanol concentration beyond permitted levels.

The campaign was part of the city’s response to an increase in cases of methanol poisoning cases. Between February 22 and March, 14, as many as 25 methanol poisoning cases were reported, claiming three lives.

Other responses included programmes to promote supply chains of safe food and projects to improve management capacity in food safety.

The department plans to tighten inspections, especially unannounced ones on food producers and traders, and to strictly punish violators.