In the past, Cao Thị Thu Trang, a resident of Điện Biên Phủ ward, often bought food at small informal markets and temporary markets. However, after following food safety information and recommendations from the mass media, social media and relevant authorities, she has become more aware of the health risks associated with consuming food of poor quality or unknown origin.

“There are so many types of food on the market nowadays, so choosing the right products is very important. To protect my family’s health, I usually shop at reputable places, choose products with clear origins and buy from businesses I trust,” Trang said.

For Lương Thị Kín, a resident of Mường Thanh ward, checking product information on packaging has become a regular habit, particularly when buying packaged food.

“Nowadays, when I go shopping, I pay much more attention to labels and product information. If a product has no clear origin or lacks sufficient information, I will not buy it. For fresh food, I give priority to products that are fresh and properly stored,” Kín said.

Growing consumer demand is placing higher requirements on food businesses. Many supermarkets and stores are paying closer attention to their sources of supply and prioritizing products with clear origins. Product labels and QR codes for traceability are increasingly being used to provide greater transparency.

Phạm Thị Tuyền, owner of a fresh fruit store in Điện Biên Phủ ward, said: “Consumers are increasingly concerned about product quality, so we have to be more careful when sourcing our goods. Our store prioritizes products from the province and neighboring areas. We also carefully check the growing areas and production processes before putting products on sale.”

The province currently has 2,131 food production, food business and food service establishments under the management of the health sector. Of these, the provincial Sub-Department of Food Safety directly oversees 135 establishments, while 1,996 are managed at the commune level.

Alongside inspection and monitoring, the provincial Sub-Department of Food Safety has placed a strong emphasis on public communication and raising awareness of food safety. Since the beginning of the year, the agency has organized 27 conferences to review activities and launch the 2026 Action Month for Food Safety, attracting nearly 1,400 participants. It has also coordinated nearly 400 communication sessions in communes and wards, reaching 11,352 people.

Phan Thị Phong Lan, Deputy Head of the provincial Sub-Department of Food Safety, advises consumers not to buy excessive amounts of food for storage, particularly fresh food that can spoil easily. When shopping, consumers should prioritize fresh products with clear origins. For packaged food, they should carefully check labels, production dates, expiry dates and storage conditions. During food preparation, consumers should maintain proper hand hygiene and keep utensils and preparation areas clean. Raw and cooked food should be kept separate, while food should be stored appropriately to prevent cross-contamination. Consumers should also avoid eating food that shows signs of spoilage.

Consumer habits are gradually changing as people pay greater attention to the origin, quality and safety of the food they purchase. This shift is helping increase the responsibility of food producers and businesses while creating a stronger foundation for more effective food safety management across the province, ultimately contributing to the protection of public health.