The action month on food safety will start on the 15th of this month in HCM City, the Food Safety and Hygiene Department said.

The city’s inspection team will check management activities related to food safety in districts across the city.

Fruit, vegetables and meat products will be a priority during this evaluation period.

The launch ceremony is scheduled to be held in Cu Chi District, the main supplier of agricultural products.

During the action month, activities to enhance consumer confidence in buying and consuming fresh food will be held. The media will be widely used to raise awareness on food safety and the requirements of food certificates.

Dr Nguyen Thi Huynh Mai, deputy head of the Food Safety and Hygiene Department, said the department would inspect premises, test food and handle violations in the city.

In addition, facilities providing catering services will be expanded, especially in areas where there are many public canteens.

Yesterday, traffic police in central Thanh Hoa Province arrested a truck driver for transporting nearly 8 tonnes of foul-smelling animal fat.

The driver told police he was transporting the fat from Thua Thien-Hue Province to Hanoi for consumption.

The police seized the entire shipment as the driver could not prove the origin of the product.

VNS