Ho Chi Minh City Tightens Food Safety Management: Call for Strict Handling of Unlicensed Spontaneous Trading at Wholesale Markets

The oversight team of the HCMC People's Council has identified numerous challenges in food safety (FS) management. Authorities have called for clear accountability, streamlined data integration, and stricter controls at wholesale markets, concentrated slaughterhouses, and high-risk facilities.

Mr. Nguyen Van Tuan, Deputy Head of the Cultural and Social Committee of the HCMC People's Council, stated that the administrative management area has expanded significantly. Over 40 units have requested additional staffing or the appointment of specialized FS officials at the commune and ward levels to handle the increasing workload.

Dr. Le Minh Hai, Deputy Director of the HCMC Food Safety Department, reported that from July 2025 to June 2026, the department inspected 3,648 establishments. Through post-market surveillance of 12,724 self-declaration dossiers, 1,468 files were found to have irregularities regarding labeling, test results, and legal documentation.

At wholesale markets like Hoc Mon and Binh Dien, pork traceability is being implemented via the TE.FOOD system, QR codes, and invoices. Over the past year, more than 2.78 million pigs have been traced. However, the oversight team raised concerns about nearly 300 unlicensed, spontaneous trading spots surrounding the Hoc Mon wholesale market.

Mr. Cao Thanh Binh, Head of the Cultural and Social Committee, emphasized that 60-70% of goods from wholesale markets are distributed to traditional markets. He demanded stricter regulation of the surrounding areas to ensure consistent food safety standards.

Regarding collective kitchens and industrial catering, the team demanded increased post-inspection and encouraged enterprises with 1,000+ employees to establish on-site kitchens. Beyond safety, the nutritional value of workers' meals must also be strictly ensured.

HCMC Vice Chairman Nguyen Manh Cuong stated the city is restructuring personnel to clearly define responsibilities among agencies and prevent overlap. Shipments showing signs of violations will be dealt with strictly to prevent them from entering the market.

Concluding the oversight session, HCMC Vice Chairman of the People's Council Huynh Thanh Nhan requested the application of the '5 Clears' principle: clear personnel, clear tasks, clear timelines, clear results, and clear responsibilities. He emphasized the early implementation of a unified database for FS information and the public disclosure of violating establishments.