Establishing a seamless management structure from central to local levels The Ministry of Health is currently leading the development of a major project to restructure the state management system for food safety. The core objective is to transition from a fragmented management model to a single, unified focal point. This draft is designed to eliminate functional overlaps, aiming for a streamlined and more effective system in accordance with resolutions on political system innovation.
Shifting mindset from segment control to value chain management Instead of inspecting individual stages as previously practiced, the new model aims for comprehensive monitoring of the entire supply chain: from initial production and processing to distribution and final consumption. In preparation for this project, authorities have conducted field surveys in various localities such as Bac Ninh and Ho Chi Minh City, while also researching management models from over 30 countries, including advanced systems from the European Union (EU) and Ireland.
Proposal for the establishment of new specialized units The draft outlines specific options for consolidating the apparatus at all levels:
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Central Level: Consolidating the Food Safety Authority by integrating additional tasks and personnel from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
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Provincial Level: Establishing Food Safety Departments under Provincial People’s Committees to centralize management authority at the provincial level.
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Grassroots Level: Forming specialized management teams or public service units at the commune level to directly conduct inspections, sampling, and handle violations on the spot.