Chaos in Apartment Building Food Sales: Challenges in Controlling Counterfeit Goods and Food Safety
Food business activities through private residential groups in apartment buildings are creating significant challenges for authorities to control the origin and quality of goods.
The situation of food sales through private groups in apartment buildings in Hanoi is becoming increasingly complex. Transactions often go through multiple intermediaries, creating significant difficulties for market management forces in controlling product origins and ensuring food safety for residents.
At a meeting on implementing October tasks organized by the Hanoi Party Committee's Propaganda Department, the Hanoi Market Management Department reported that from late 2025 to September 2026, authorities conducted over 4,200 inspections and handled thousands of violations. Smuggled goods, counterfeit products, and food with unknown origins account for a significant portion of these cases.
Mr. Kieu Dinh Canh, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Market Management Department, emphasized: 'Business activities on e-commerce platforms and social networks like Zalo and Telegram are increasingly being abused. Sellers constantly change contact information, lack fixed business locations, and utilize logistics services and ride-hailing apps for delivery, hindering inspection efforts.'
Notably, authorities have uncovered several major illegal food distribution networks. Examples include the seizure of 10,600 units of smuggled frozen Chinese sausages, hot dogs, and eggs in Ninh Hiep, and over 1,000 tons of smuggled chicken feet at Quang Minh Import-Export and Development Joint Stock Company in the Quang Minh Industrial Zone.
The Hanoi Market Management Department confirms it will continue to accelerate Plan 36, focusing on monitoring street markets and spontaneous business spots. The city's goal is to resolve all illegal business clusters by 2027 to protect consumer rights and public health safety.