Taking advantage of the increasing demand for goods and food, many entities have engaged in smuggling, trading products of unknown origin, and producing or selling substandard goods that fail to meet food safety standards, thereby posing risks to consumer health. In response, inspection, monitoring, and supervision activities have become crucial measures to promptly detect, prevent, and address food safety violations.

Hoàng Xuân Chiến, Head of the Điện Biên provincial Food Safety and Hygiene Sub-department, stated that every year, the department actively develops specialized inspection and supervision plans. It also collaborates with relevant units, including the police, industry and trade departments, and local authorities, to conduct interdisciplinary inspections in the food safety sector. From 2024 to the present, authorities have inspected and monitored 6,232 establishments involved in food production, processing, trading, catering services, and street food vendors. Of these, 5,965 establishments met safety requirements, accounting for 95.7%.

Thanks to effective inspections, in recent years, compliance with food safety regulations among food production and service businesses has significantly improved. For example, in 2024, Điện Biên hosted numerous major events, including the National Tourism Year and the 70th anniversary of the Điện Biên Phủ Victory, featuring cultural, artistic, and culinary activities. Despite these large gatherings, no cases of food poisoning were reported.

According to Chiến, during these events, the health sector coordinated closely with relevant agencies to ensure food safety at restaurants and hotels, which accommodated national delegates, government officials, international guests, and parade participants. Authorities supervised over 15,000 meals, ensuring food safety without any incidents. This effort played a key role in the success of these important national and provincial events.

Ensuring food safety is a critical factor in protecting public health. Alongside inspections of food businesses, authorities also conduct regular interdisciplinary inspections at school canteens. In general, inspected schools have adhered to food safety regulations, from planning and contracting food supplies to proper food management and storage.

Vũ Thị Giang, Principal of Hoa Mai Kindergarten in Điện Biên Phủ city, shared that in the 2024 - 2025 academic year, the school serves nearly 200 students across five groups. Adhering to food safety standards, the school carefully selects and contracts food suppliers with reputable origins and proper food safety certifications. The school kitchen follows a one-way processing system, is well-equipped, and maintains high hygiene standards. Kitchen staff are trained in food preparation and hygiene and undergo regular health checks.

Despite positive changes, the Điện Biên provincial Interdisciplinary Steering Committee on Food Safety acknowledges that most food businesses in the province are small-scale, family-run, seasonal, and dispersed, leading to difficulties in meeting all food safety regulations. Some businesses still show low compliance with food safety laws, while others continue to violate food safety conditions. In 2024, out of 5,965 inspected establishments, 267 failed to meet food safety requirements.

The main reasons for violations included selling expired or moldy food, improper food sample retention, using unclean equipment for food storage and display, and having unhygienic processing areas with pest infestations. Additionally, some food handlers failed to wear protective clothing as required. Authorities imposed administrative fines totaling nearly VND 450 million and destroyed unsafe food products worth over VND 30 million.

Ensuring food safety remains a challenging task that requires close coordination among various agencies. However, consumer awareness and responsibility remain fundamental in maintaining food hygiene.

Chiến emphasized that besides government efforts and strict enforcement, food businesses must voluntarily comply with food safety regulations. Consumers should also enhance their knowledge and actively reject unsafe products to protect their health, their families, and society as a whole.