Street food vendors in Hanoi face fines of up to VND6 million (US$236) for failing to meet food safety standards.
The fine is provided for in a resolution on sanctions for certain administrative violations in food safety, which was approved at the 20th Session of the Hanoi People's Council on December 12. It will become effective on January 1, 2025.
| A street vendor at a school gate in Hanoi. Photo: Ha Linh/The Hanoi Times |
According to the resolution, unhygienic practices in the production, distribution and storage of food, food additives, processing tools, packaging materials and containers that come into direct contact with food can result in a maximum fine of VND40 million ($1,573).
In addition, food safety infractions during transportation can carry fines of up to VND20 million ($787).
A maximum fine of VND30 million ($1,180) will be imposed for breaking food safety regulations in service enterprises, such as restaurants, food stalls, canteens, and facilities that produce ready-to-eat food.
Offenses against the regulations on food safety certificates are subject to a maximum fine of VND120 million ($4,721).
The penalties outlined in this resolution apply primarily to individuals, although some apply to organizations. For the same administrative offense, the fine for an organization is double that of an individual.
This resolution is based on Decree No. 115/2018/ND-CP of September 4, 2018, which establishes administrative penalties for violations of food safety regulations, as amended by Decree No. 124/2021/ND-CP of December 28, 2021.
| Vu Thu Ha, Vice Chairwoman of the Hanoi People's Committee, presents the draft resolution at the 20th session of the Hanoi People’s Council. Photo: Thanh Hai/The Hanoi Times |
Presenting the draft resolution, Vu Thu Ha, Vice Chairwoman of the Hanoi People's Committee, outlined the city's efforts to carry out the directives of the municipal Party Committee, Government, and People's Council to make specific mechanisms and policies under the Capital Law 2024 to ensure social order and safety in the field of food safety.
The resolution includes guidelines for the implementation of Clause 1, Article 33 of the amended Capital Law, which seeks to increase penalties for administrative violations related to food safety in the city.
The move is aimed to help reduce food safety violations throughout Hanoi.
Challenges remain in food safety controls
| One of the 5,800 street food stalls in Hanoi. Photo: Duy Linh/The Hanoi Times |
The city is home to over 77,000 businesses involved in food production, processing, trade, and street vending. These include over 10,000 food producers, almost 25,500 food traders, over 35,000 food service providers, and around 5,800 street vendors.
Hanoi's Sub-Department of Food Safety and Hygiene said that city officials have always given high priority to food safety issues and emphasized a coordinated and effective implementation approach.
To help all sectors ensure the safety of the city's food supply, the Hanoi People's Committee has launched a series of urgent policies and targeted actions. This has led to improvements in the understanding and practices of food farmers, processors, traders, and consumers regarding food production, trade, and consumption.
However, significant challenges remain, as ensuring food safety requires the concerted involvement of multiple government sectors, leading to persistent issues such as the transport, trade, and smuggling of unsafe food from other provinces into Hanoi.
In addition, awareness among managers of food processing facilities and street food stalls remains low. Most infractions at the commune level receive warnings rather than legal sanctions.
In addition, many slaughterhouses are found in the middle of residential areas and do not meet food safety and hygiene standards. Food of uncertain origin continues to be brought into the city, and many consumers are reluctant to report establishments selling unsafe food to the appropriate authorities.
The Municipal Food Safety and Hygiene Sub-Department stresses the need to amend legal documents and regulations on food safety management in line with practical conditions. Relevant authorities are urged to strengthen the inspection and supervision of food production and trading enterprises while imposing strict penalties on violators.
