In the face of the possible appearance of counterfeit and fake goods in the build up to the forthcoming New Year and Tet festivals, Da Nang’s functional agencies have taken many effective measures in a timely fashion so as to ensure the market stability and food safety.

The interdisciplinary teams conducting surprise visits to traditional markets to detect whether or not traders comply with the food safety and hygiene regulations

Housing more than 2,000 traders and vendors touting for business, the downtown Con Market is a major concentration of wholesale and retail trading activities and the distribution of goods to many nearby localities as well as a number of markets across the city.

According to the Management Board of the Con Market, about 1 month prior to Tet, the number of visitors to this venue usually increases by 7-8 times compared to normal days, even by 10 times in one week left to Tet.

Traders of food products at the Con Market are required to attach quick-response (QR)-coded labels on the packaging of such products as ‘nem chua’ (fermented pork roll), and ‘cha bo’ (grilled beef patty) and ‘cha lua’ (pork bologna) before they sell them to consumers.

The smart label will help customers to trace the origin of food products sold at the market. The QR code can be scanned with a smartphone to learn where and by whom the food was grown, as well as how it was produced.

In addition, customers can scan QR codes printed on produce packages to learn about when they were packaged and distributed; as well as a list of any pesticides and fertilizers used.

The use of such smart labels is the inevitable result of the need to enhance customers’ trust in the city’s food safety.

Checks focusing on the trade in such popular items for Tet as dried beef and squid, cakes and candies

The Con Market Management Board is keeping a close eye on managing the quality of food sold at the venue, and help traders adapt to the food safety market model. Thanks to effective food safety control measures, the market is the best choice for those who want to enjoy tasty and popular dishes at reasonable prices in a busy trading atmosphere.

According to Mr Nguyen Tan Hai, the Head of the municipal Food Safety Management Board, from 15 December, 2019 to 15 February, 2020, his unit is conducting surprise visits to traditional markets to detect whether or not traders comply with the regulations regarding seafood origins, food safety and hygiene, environmental sanitation before and during the Lunar New Year 2020.

A total of 3 interdisciplinary teams will conduct checks over the operation of 190 food producing establishments trading in such items as dried beef and squid, cakes, candies, jams, wine, beer of all kinds.

The General Department of Market Surveillance will carry out inspection visits to  20 provinces and cities across the country, including Da Nang, in the fight against  goods of unknown origin, counterfeit products and those which infringe upon intellectual property rights.

In the city, such checks are targeted at the markets of Con, Han, Dong Da and Hoa Khanh, shops along such downtown streets ass Le Duan, Hung Vuong and Ong Ich Khiem.

It is noticeable that items which are subject to inspection include functional foods, jewelry, watches, cosmetics, clothing and footwear.

By KHANH HOA- Translated by ANH THU