Health and agriculture officials met in Hanoi on December 24 to discuss food safety and hygiene in the lead-up to the Tet Lunar New Year. Representatives from the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ha Noi People's Committee and other agencies attended the meeting. Dr. Nguyen Cong Khan, head of the Health Ministry's food hygiene and safety department, expressed concerns about some of the items seen at markets in Hanoi, such as imported cattle and chemicals and additives without clear indications of their origins. Dr. Bui Quang Anh, who heads the National Animal Health Department, warned diseases can be transmitted from imported cattle to humans. Mr. Anh said his staff had found a strange white ox at a slaughter house in Ha Noi's Hoang Mai District. The white ox, illegally imported into Vietnam, was suffering foot-and-mouth disease. Those responsible for monitoring food markets were hampered by a lack of personnel, funding and space to store … [Read more...] about Lunar New Year food safety and hygiene concerns raised
Lunar new year food
Gov’t prepares for Lunar New Year festival
VGP – The PM has issued an instruction asking ministries, agencies and localities to strengthen management work; stabilize the domestic market; and ensure social security for the upcoming Lunar New Year festival. PM Dung also asked his inferiors to conduct measures stipulated in Resolution 01/NQ-CP, dated January 2, 2014. Adequate goods supply The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) is responsible for keeping a close watch on the demand and supply of essential commodities from production to consumption; support domestic enterprises to expand their business networks, and ensure appropriate prices and quality of essential goods. The MoIT shall conduct campaigns to bring goods to rural, remote, far-reaching and disaster-hit areas; combine price stabilization programs with trade promotion activities in favour of the "Buy Viet Nam" campaign. The Ministry was assigned to strengthen investigations and market control to combat counterfeit and low-quality products; and strictly … [Read more...] about Gov’t prepares for Lunar New Year festival
Food safety violations rampant as Lunar New Year approaches
Recent inspections in the northern region showed that four of 54 chicken samples contained campylobacter, a bacterium that causes intestinal infections. "The plant protection section authorities should send staff to help educate farmers how to produce clean and safe food. Taking samples at markets for testing is not enough and not effective. All the products would be sold before the test results came back," Minister Phat said at a conference yesterday. Recent inspections in the northern region showed that four of 54 chicken samples contained campylobacter, a bacterium that causes intestinal infections, said Nguyen Nhu Tiep, head of the Agro-Forestry-Fisheries Quality Assurance Department. Six of 40 contained chloramphenicol and furazolidon, two banned chemicals, and four contained more tetracycline than the allowed level. The ministry's inspectors have also caught many smugglers illegally importing buffaloes and cattle from Thailand. Nguyen Xuan Duong, vice head of the Livestock … [Read more...] about Food safety violations rampant as Lunar New Year approaches
Supermarkets roll out promotions for Lunar New Year
Customers choose products for Lunar New Year at Metro wholesale supermarket.— VNS Photos HCM CITY (Biz Hub) - Supermarkets around the country have unveiled promotions to attract customers ahead of Tet (the Lunar New Year) holiday. Metro Cash & Carry said from January 2 to 15, the prices of more than 2,000 products like foodstuffs, decorative items, clothes, and home appliances will be discounted by 5-49 per cent. A spokesperson for the German wholesaler said it was Metro's largest promotion programme in a year. It will also open a Tet Viet (Vietnamese Tet) market selling vegetables from January 12 to January 31 at its 19 outlets. French-owned Big C supermarket has announced two promotional programmes with discounts of 5-45 per cent on more than 2,000 products, including confectionery, beverages, dried food, household utensils, electronic products, and others until January 13. In addition, the prices of more than 500 cosmetic and fashion products will be cut down 5-30 per … [Read more...] about Supermarkets roll out promotions for Lunar New Year
Lunar New Year celebrated nationwide
The Hanoitimes - New Year's eve this year - the Year of the Dragon, bears a special significance because the dragon is the symbol of power and prosperity according to the Asian people.At the moment of New Year's eve, people do not forget to offer best wishes to families, friends and hopes for a new year with good fortune and prosperity coming to them.Tens of thousands of people flocked to HoanKiemLake in downtown Hanoi to watch the fireworks display during the first minutes of the new Lunar Year on Jan. 23. Even the chilly air at midnight seemed to heat up with the crowds of pedestrians and vehicles.While firework displays were set off at 29 sites throughout the city, it seemed everyone wanted to go to HoanKiemLake , where artistic performances were held on several outdoor stages. After the fireworks, the flow of people began to disperse, bringing an air of excitement to even the narrowest alleys.A banquet offered on Lunar New Year's Eve is of paramount importance in the Vietnamese … [Read more...] about Lunar New Year celebrated nationwide