Joint initiative promotes food safety at traditional markets in Hanoi

The event was organised by the National Authority for Quality, Processing, and Market Development (NAFIQPM) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), together with the Safe Food for Growth (SAFEGRO) programme, and Long Bien People's Committee.

The event was attended by representatives from the Canadian embassy and the MARD, the Ministry of Health, and Ministry of Industry and Trade, along with relevant Hanoi departments.

Introducing and promoting the food safety market model in Long Bien district

Food safety is a top priority in Vietnam, particularly in major cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. As the country undergoes rapid socioeconomic development, the demand for safe food products is rising. Wholesale and traditional markets supply approximately 90 per cent of food products, while also supporting the livelihoods of many vendors.

However, many local markets face challenges, including deteriorating infrastructure, inadequate facilities, and failure to meet food safety standards. Additionally, the zoning of commodities in the market remains inappropriate, and both vendors and consumers lack awareness of healthy business practices. These issues present significant challenges to managing and ensuring food safety in traditional markets.

To address these challenges, the SAFEGRO project, funded by the Canadian government, has partnered with Long Bien People's Committe and market management companies to enhance food safety at Thuong Thanh and Kim Quan markets. The project aims to provide Hanoi’s residents with access to safe, high-quality, and affordable food products while protecting public health.

The project has supported the review and development of food safety procedures and processes in these markets, ensuring compliance with Vietnamese regulations while incorporating international best practices. SAFEGRO experts have also provided advice on functional zoning and the arrangement of commodities within these markets based on food safety risk levels.

In addition, SAFEGRO has conducted various in-depth training sessions for food safety management officers, market management companies, and vendors, particularly women, to raise awareness and promote safe food business practices.

SAFEGRO has provided essential equipment to improve food safety in these markets, including stainless steel tables for meat stalls, poultry slaughtering areas, and fish tanks at Thuong Thanh market, as well as stainless steel racks for vegetable stands at Kim Quan market. Both markets have been equipped with handwashing stations and waste carts, along with uniforms, aprons, hats, and gloves for vendors to improve personal hygiene.

The project has also helped improve cleaning protocols by providing tools and disinfectants for market facilities and shared common spaces. Thanks to close collaboration with market management companies and Long Bien authoorities, infrastructure and conditions at both markets have been significantly upgraded.

Moving forward, the project will continue working with the People's Committee and market management companies to finalise regulations, provide further training for stakeholders on good food safety practices, and collaborate with service providers for hygiene management in key food commodities.

The message the project aims to convey is "The technical assistance from the SAFEGRO project not only contributes to protecting consumer health but also enhances the reputation and service quality of traditional markets."

SAFEGRO is being implemented in Vietnam from 2021 to 2025, with the MARD acting as project manager. The NAFIQMP serves as the project standing Agency. Alinea International in association with the University of Guelph is the Canadian execution agency.

The primary objective of the project is to support the development and enforcement of science-based and risk-based food safety regulations; while also raising consumer awareness about food safety, and promoting behavioural changes that lead to an increased demand for safe and affordable agricultural products in Vietnam.

SAFEGRO adds to food safety culture in Vietnam The project 'Safe Food for Growth' (SAFEGRO) in collaboration with the Department of Quality, Processing and Market Development under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development supports selected vegetable and pork value chains in Hanoi to upgrade the agri-food chain.

Behavioural change still required within food safety Food safety is currently implemented at many different levels around the world. Brian G. Bedard, director of Food Safety and Animal Health at Alinea International, offered VIR’s Nguyen Huong some recommendations on improving the culture in Vietnam to match global practices.