Proposal for Unified Food Safety Management: A New Milestone in Post-Market Inspection
The National Assembly discusses the revised Food Safety Law, focusing on centralizing state management under the Ministry of Health to resolve overlaps and enhance oversight efficiency.
On the afternoon of October 24, during the second session of the 16th National Assembly, delegates gathered in group discussions to review the revised Food Safety Law. The primary goal of this amendment is to enhance state governance, protect consumer rights, and foster a favorable business environment.
Prime Minister Le Minh Hung highlighted that the draft law proposes breakthrough mechanisms, such as risk-based chain management and digital transformation, with a central focus on consolidating state authority. Under this proposal, the Ministry of Health will serve as the lead agency, with delegated responsibilities extending to local health departments and specialized personnel at the commune level.
Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man emphasized that a unified agency would eliminate the long-standing issue of 'three ministries overseeing one dinner plate,' which often leads to responsibility-shirking and oversight gaps. He demanded substantial post-market inspection reforms and stringent sanctions, including permanent bans for intentional severe violations, ensuring that those who profit at the expense of public health are removed from the market.
Delegate Pham Thu Xanh (Hai Phong delegation) highlighted the flaws in the current self-declaration mechanism, citing the case of hundreds of counterfeit milk products sold over four years. She proposed that periodic sampling must be strictly tied to risk categories and that surprise inspections should be intensified for products showing signs of non-compliance.
Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan stated that the revised law will clearly define roles: the Ministry of Health will act as the unified regulator for human health safety, while the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development will oversee initial production, harvesting, and chain-of-custody traceability for agricultural commodities.