The renowned Nguyen Ninh green rice cake (bánh cốm) production facility on Hang Than Street, Hanoi, has been temporarily shut down following a surprise inspection that revealed multiple food safety violations.

Inspection findings

On January 2, Hanoi's Interdisciplinary Food Safety Inspection Team No. 1 conducted an unannounced check as part of efforts to ensure food safety during the 2025 Lunar New Year and spring festival season.

At the Nguyen Ninh facility in Ba Dinh District, inspectors found several infractions, including the lack of required health certificates and food safety training documentation for the owner and five employees. Additionally, the facility failed to provide records verifying the origin of raw materials, food additives, and packaging in direct contact with food.

The production area did not meet hygiene standards. The facility was not organized according to a one-way flow principle, lacked separate zones for different stages of production, and shared space with the owner’s living quarters. There was no dedicated area for packaging and labeling products.

Further issues included deteriorated infrastructure, with moldy, cracked, and damaged walls, ceilings, and floors in the production area. Open drains were clogged with waste and stagnant water. The presence of insects and pests in the production area, coupled with insufficient measures to prevent contamination, further compounded the violations.

Inspectors also noted improper storage of materials and products, with no designated area for packaging or shelving, and inadequate hygiene maintenance of equipment and tools. Employees lacked protective clothing and appropriate workwear.

Labeling of products was inconsistent with self-declared product standards and did not comply with Vietnam's labeling regulations.

Temporary suspension and corrective measures

The inspection team has ordered the immediate suspension of Nguyen Ninh's operations and tasked the Ba Dinh District Food Safety Steering Committee with monitoring the facility's corrective actions.

The district authorities will ensure that the facility addresses the identified issues and submit a report on the progress and outcomes to the inspection team.

Nguyen Ninh is a household name in Hanoi, famous for its traditional bánh cốm, a delicacy associated with Vietnamese culture and celebrations. The temporary suspension serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to stringent food safety standards to maintain public trust and ensure consumer health.

Phuong Thuy