In the first half of this year, the Da Nang authorities conducted surprise inspections of 1,851 food manufacturing and trading establishments in total across the city.

The results show that 85 of the inspected units were found to have violated the national food safety and hygiene regulations, and faced more than 198 million VND in administrative fines.

These figures were released by the Da Nang Food Safety and Hygiene Management Board at Wednesday’s online exchange during which a total of 40 questions relating to this aspect raised by local residents were answered.

Mr Nguyen Tan Hai, the Head of the Board, remarked that his unit, under the management of the municipal People’s Committee, takes responsibility for monitoring and managing safety-related issues in food production, processing and distribution in the city, as well as inspecting and checking the safety and hygiene of food providers.

Besides, importance is being attached to enhancing the efficiency of organic food supply chains, and furthering the development of safe food trading models in the city.

The establishment of the Board aims at dealing with any issues arising during interdisciplinary coordination activities amongst relevant agencies.

Also, this special unit’s efficient performance helps the city effectively implement the ongoing landmark ‘City of 4 Safe Programmes’ campaign which gives the top priority to ensuring food safety and hygiene.

It is no denying the fact that this aspect plays a vital role of securing residents’ health, as well as partly building a safe tourism environment for visitors from both home and abroad.

To date, the Food Safety and Hygiene Management Board has launched 78 training courses on food safety and hygiene for those who are involved in food safety management activities at all levels.