Food safety inspectors collecting samples for food safety supervision of agricultural, forestry and aquatic products

Accordingly, in 2024, the Sub-Department tested 113 samples of agricultural, forestry and aquatic products from markets, production areas and manufacturing facilities. This included 28 OCOP-certified product samples from 28 entities across various localities: 19 tea samples from Dai Tu, Phu Luong, Dong Hy, Dinh Hoa, Thai Nguyen City, Song Cong City and Pho Yen City; 4 rice samples from Phu Binh, Phu Luong and Dinh Hoa; 2 samples of dried noodles and glass noodles from Dong Hy and Vo Nhai; 1 sample of chung cake from Phu Luong; 1 sample of bui spring rolls from Phu Binh; and 1 sample of shiitake mushrooms from Dai Tu. Additionally, the Sub-Department collected 85 monitoring samples from markets, concentrated production areas and business establishments across 9 districts/cities, including: 26 tea samples; 17 vegetable samples; 16 fruit samples (pomelo, custard apple); 9 pork samples; 5 chicken samples; 7 pork roll samples; and 5 freshwater fish samples. Test results showed that 100% of samples met the testing criteria (below the maximum allowable limits as regulated by the Ministry of Health). The sampling process adhered to the Food Safety Law and guidance documents from the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Packaging bui spring rolls at a production facility in Phu Binh district

The implementation of food safety supervision for agricultural, forestry and aquatic products in Thai Nguyen province is based on Circular No. 08/2016/TT-BNNPTNT dated June 1, 2016, of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development regarding food safety supervision of agricultural, forestry and aquatic products and Decision No. 599/QD-SNN dated December 8, 2023, of Thai Nguyen Province's Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. Through monitoring activities, potential food safety risks affecting human health are promptly detected, warned against and prevented, leading to recommendations and solutions to enhance food safety assurance in the province, while strictly handling violations. Additionally, monitoring helps strengthen the role, responsibility and coordination among functional agencies and localities in state management of quality control and food safety assurance in the production and trading of agricultural, forestry and aquatic products. Furthermore, it provides timely information about safe products to consumers, gradually increases product value and contributes to sustainable agricultural development goals.