Tightening Food Safety Oversight: Shifting from Segmented Control to Full-Chain Management

Experts and policymakers have reached a consensus that to fundamentally address the issue of unsafe food, a paradigm shift is required: moving from segmented oversight to comprehensive whole-chain supply management. The integration of modern traceability technologies, the completion of a robust legal framework, and the strict enforcement of penalties are considered the pillars of this new strategy.

Rising Food Safety Violations and Organized Operations

An overview of the forum 'Preventing Dirty Food - Responsibility and Action'. (Photo: Organizing Committee)

At the forum organized by the People's Public Security Newspaper on July 2nd, Colonel Tran Hong Thanh, Deputy Editor-in-Chief, emphasized that food safety is not only directly related to public health but also reflects the effectiveness of social governance and business ethics. Despite progress in state management, the circulation of counterfeit and low-quality food remains complex, threatening consumer trust.

Data from the Ministry of Public Security indicates that in the first six months of 2026, authorities detected and handled 5,992 violating organizations and individuals, an increase of 102% year-on-year. Notably, 123 criminal cases were prosecuted with 249 defendants. Additionally, 5,883 administrative cases were addressed with fines totaling over 61 billion VND.

Colonel Tran Viet Phuong, Deputy Director of the Department of Environmental Police, pointed out that violations have evolved into professionalized, chained operations. Subjects utilize legal entities to disguise activities, falsify documents, and exploit electronic payments and online advertising. These are not merely small-scale incidents but represent an entire ecosystem of fraud spanning raw materials, production, inspection, and distribution.

Colonel Tran Viet Phuong, Deputy Director of the Department of Environmental Police (Photo: Organizing Committee).

Dirty Food Permeating All Distribution Channels

Mr. Tran Viet Hung, Head of the Market Management Department (Ministry of Industry and Trade), noted that violations occur extensively across all stages, from traditional markets and slaughterhouses to e-commerce platforms. Offenders often utilize cold storage and border areas to distribute goods, leveraging live-streaming and private groups to evade regulatory surveillance.

Mr. Tran Viet Hung - Head of the Market Management Department (Ministry of Industry and Trade) speaking at the forum. (Photo: Organizing Committee)

Beyond traditional food contamination, Dr. Nguyen Trung Nguyen, Director of the Poison Control Center (Bach Mai Hospital), warned of the challenge posed by the intentional addition of chemicals into food. Concurrently, Colonel Dr. Le Thi Huong Giang from 19-8 Hospital highlighted the 'invisible' danger of ultra-processed foods, which may meet current legal regulations but pose long-term health risks if consumed excessively.

Dr. Pharmacist Chu Quoc Thinh, Director of the Vietnam Food Administration (Ministry of Health) speaking. (Photo: Organizing Committee)

According to Dr. Pharmacist Chu Quoc Thinh, Director of the Vietnam Food Administration, the Ministry of Health is urgently collaborating with other ministries to draft an amended Food Safety Law. The proposal focuses on supply-chain-based management, national data digitization, and standardized processes from production to end-consumers.