During the Da Nang Action Month for Food Safety 2016 (15 April to 15 May) no cases of food poisoning were reported in the city. 

However, fines totalling over 318 million VND were imposed on 161 food businesses and establishments which had violated the city's food safety and hygiene standards.  Most of the violators were found not providing regular health check-ups for their workers, whilst some establishments were operating without food safety and hygiene certification.

A scene at the Da Son Slaughter House

Deputy Director of the municipal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Do Tam, said “During the month, the focus was on increasing checks and tightening the monitoring of food trading and processing establishments, vegetable growing areas, and slaughterhouses across the city”.

“The results of the inspections showed that plant protection chemicals for fruits and vegetables were used within permitted levels, whilst food samples collected from the Hoa Cuong Wholesale Market on Le Thanh Nghi were found without residues of plant protection chemicals.  In addition, urine samples were taken from livestock at local slaughterhouses, and prohibited substances like clenbuterol and salbutamol were not found.”

Municipal People’s Committee Vice Chairman Dang Viet Dung urged local relevant agencies to exert even more effort to ensure the effective management of food safety and hygiene in order to protect residents' health.

The city leader stressed the need for the Son Tra District authorities to assess the quality of food at local restaurants based on the city’s food safety and hygiene standards to ensure the health of their customers.

Mr Dung also urged Hoa Vang District authorities to work closely with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to move all the slaughterhouses across the district into one dedicated area in order to ensure the best management of these venues.