National Assembly Vice Chairman Urges Clarification of Regulatory Responsibility in Proposed Food Safety Law Amendments

During the discussion on the proposed Food Safety Law (amended) on the afternoon of October 24, National Assembly Vice Chairman Nguyen Hong Dien provided significant feedback to refine the legal framework. He affirmed that this sector is pivotal to public health and the nation's sustainable development.

According to the Vice Chairman, the state management model must be established with a unified focal point, clearly defining authority and responsibilities. Although the draft designates the Ministry of Health as the lead agency, there remains a risk of overlap among specialized ministries, particularly in transition points such as primary production, processing, slaughtering, and food circulation.

He emphasized the necessity of determining full accountability when food safety violations or incidents occur. Each task must be linked to a lead agency, with effective coordination mechanisms to prevent shifting blame or leaving tasks unattended. Furthermore, decentralization to local governments must match the resources and professional capabilities of each level.

A key reform supported by the Vice Chairman is the strong shift from pre-market inspection to post-market surveillance, transitioning from administrative management to data-driven and standards-based management. He specifically urged drafting agencies to review provisions to avoid unnecessary procedures that could slow down product circulation or increase compliance costs for businesses.

Concluding the discussion, the Vice Chairman requested the Government to further clarify plans for resource allocation, funding, and the improvement of inspection capabilities. Additionally, well-established regulations should be codified to ensure that the food safety management data system is practical for both small-scale businesses and household establishments.