Ho Chi Minh City Launches Month of Action for Food Safety

Ho Chi Minh City is entering the peak period of its 2026 Month of Action for Food Safety, with a central emphasis on strengthening controls and tightening discipline across the food supply chain—from production and processing to distribution and consumption. On April 14, 2026, the city’s Inter-Agency Steering Committee on Food Safety issued Document 1580/KH-BCĐLNATTP announcing the implementation of the Month of Action for Food Safety. The theme for 2026 is: “Ensure food safety, prevent food poisoning in catering services and street food.” TIGHTEN INSPECTIONS AND CHAIN-BASED CONTROL The program runs from April 15 to May 15, 2026 citywide, at two levels: citywide and ward/commune/special district. The Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Food Safety (currently Pham Khanh Phong Lan) has been appointed as Deputy Head of the permanent Secretariat of the City Inter-Agency Steering Committee on Food Safety. The deputy head is responsible for directing plan development, soliciting input from relevant agencies and localities, and issuing the 2026 plan to ensure safety, practicality, and effectiveness. A report on the results should be submitted to the Secretariat of the National Inter-Agency Steering Committee on Food Safety by May 30, 2026. This year’s context is particularly challenging as urban food demand continues to rise, while violations of food safety remain complex in some segments—especially street food, mass dining facilities and small-scale businesses. This requires solutions beyond inspections and penalties, with a strong shift toward risk management and early prevention. One highlight of the year is organizing targeted inspections along the food supply chain. Authorities will review all stages—from raw materials, processing, to distribution—to identify hazards early and link inspections to post-inspection remediation, ensuring facilities that were sanctioned implement substantive corrective actions. Market surveillance will be intensified, especially at wholesale markets, supermarkets, convenience stores and food-service routes. Tracking origin, storage conditions and product quality will be regularly conducted to minimize the circulation of foods with unclear origins. Inter-agency forces are required to coordinate closely, combining professional inspections with market management and police to address violations with serious indicators, enhancing deterrence. STRENGTHEN COMMUNICATION AND CHANGE CONSUMER BEHAVIOR Beyond inspections, communications are identified as a key pillar for sustainable change. The city will implement unified messaging across press, social media and local radio, focusing on raising public awareness of safe food choices. The overarching message is to shift from “control” to “prevention,” with consumers at the center. Choosing foods with clear origins and proper preservation and preparation is encouraged as a responsible consumer behavior. The involved departments—including Food Safety; Agriculture and Environment; Industry and Trade; Public Security; Culture and Sports; and Health—are responsible for coordinated implementation and will work with other departments such as Science and Technology; Education and Training; Tourism; Finance; and district/ward and special-zone committees to strengthen prevention, prevent incidents, and promptly address any shortcomings. Regular monitoring and enforcement at localities are also emphasized, especially in key areas such as tourist sites, worker canteens, and food-service outlets, to minimize the risk of food poisoning. For enterprises, particularly food producers and traders, the Month of Action is an opportunity to review all processes and strengthen compliance with the law. Models of clean production and safe supply chains are encouraged to be replicated. A recent report from the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Food Safety showed that in the first three months of 2026 the agency collected 380 food samples to monitor safety in the agricultural, forestry and fisheries sector. Samples came from 120 pork, 80 seafood and 180 fruits and vegetables. These samples were tested at the Region 4 Center for Quality, Processing and Market Development. Results: 346 samples met standards (91.05%); 34 samples did not comply with food safety regulations (8.95%). Earlier on the morning of April 8, 2026, many students at Bình Quới Tây Primary School in Bình Thạnh District were found to have fatigue, abdominal pain and mild fever, suspected to be due to foodborne illness, and were treated at local medical facilities. Authorities acted quickly. Initial analysis by the city health department indicated that 7/10 samples tested positive for Salmonella, a common cause of gastrointestinal infections related to food. As of April 10, 2026, about 180 Bình Quới Tây Primary School students were reported to have been treated. Authorities continue to monitor cases and investigate the food source to prevent similar incidents. With the hot season underway in Ho Chi Minh City, conditions favor bacteria and mold growth. Health and food safety authorities urge residents to raise health awareness by selecting, preparing and storing food according to regulations to avoid spoilage when storage conditions are not observed.