Vietnam's dairy products being checked for safety

Throughout March, health inspectors have been performing safety inspections on dairy products in Hanoi and several provinces, according to a health official.

Nguyen Van Nhien, inspection chief of the Vietnam Food Administrator – a subdivision of the Ministry of Health – said that investigators will conduct safety checks on a particular group of essential foods each month this year.

Milk-product quality was tested this month after inspectors took samples of both imported and domestically made powdered and liquid milk.

The samples were taken from Hanoi and northern Bac Ninh, Thai Nguyen, Lang Son and Ha Nam provinces. In April, investigators will examine dairy products in three other provinces.

Nguyen Cong Khan, head of the Vietnam Food Administrator, said milk quality differs for all Vietnamese brands because many small companies produce their own products, especially in Ho Chi Minh City.

A draft measure on Food Hygiene and Safety has proposed to shut down food manufacturers that have committed four or more violations, according to Khan.