VietNamNet Bridge – Plans for a pilot programme that will create a safe food supply chain for HCM City have been finalised, authorities have said.

Under the plan, more than 50 per cent of farm produce and foodstuff by 2015 would be under strict quality control, and thus considered "clean and safe".

According to the HCM City Department of Animal Health, the city consumes 1,000-1,100 tonnes of animal meat a day and 3-3.5 million poultry eggs.

However, the city's meat production meets only about 20 per cent of demand, with the rest taken by other provinces or used as imports. All poultry eggs sold in the city come from other provinces.

One of the major goals of the programme is to ensure food safety through inspections and control from the point of origin.

Another goal is to refine all the steps in the process, including breeding, slaughtering, transport, sale and processing.
These steps would help build up the name of Vietnamese farm produce and foodstuff.

Of all agricultural products, at least 15 per cent would be considered safe products by the end of this year. The figure is projected to top 50 per cent by the end of 2015.

The city and provincial governments as well as enterprises have agreed to take part in the project.

The city has already issued 13 certificates identifying safe practices to several breeding establishments, farms and slaughterhouses in HCM City and the provinces of Dong Nai and Lam Dong.

There are concerns, however, that poor linkages among farms, production establishments, slaughterhouses and traders could harm the supply chain. In addition, the linkage between production establishments and distribution channels might face roadblocks.

The prices of safe products are higher than those without strict controls on quality, which could pose problems for companies.

Many residents are aware of food safety and hygiene, but still buy cheap products, although they know they may not be hygienic.

Le Ngoc Dao, deputy director of the HCM City Department of Industry and Trade, said the city People's Committee had asked agencies to build a chain of safe food stores in several districts and put "safe food" labels on products in the safe-food chain.

In the short term, the Department of Animal Health will encourage companies and supermarkets to arrange separate shelves for safe foods only, which would help customers identify and learn about clean foods.

To further educate consumers, the city has disseminated additional information about the safe-food supply chain through various media channels

VietNamNet/VNS