On the afternoon of May 12, 2026, Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan chaired a meeting with relevant ministries and local authorities to discuss a project on perfecting the state management apparatus for food safety. The core objective is to establish a unified management system from central to local levels to control health risks at their source.
Prioritizing the Department of Food Safety model at the local level Based on surveys and discussions, the majority of provincial and municipal authorities reached a consensus on establishing independent specialized agencies:
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Provincial level: The proposal involves establishing a Department of Food Safety by merging existing food safety units from the Health, Industry and Trade, and Agriculture sectors. This model is expected to strengthen inspection authorities and administrative sanctioning capabilities.
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Commune level: The establishment of Food Safety Teams under the Commune People’s Committees received the most support to ensure timely monitoring and reporting of violations at the grassroots level.
Chain-based management and risk control Minister Dao Hong Lan emphasized that food safety must be managed throughout the entire value chain—from farming and production to consumption. However, the food safety agency will not replace the production management functions of specialized ministries. Instead, it will focus on monitoring critical points (risks) affecting human health. If safety thresholds are exceeded in livestock or pesticide use, the food safety agency must have the authority to issue warnings and take immediate enforcement action.
Finalizing the project amidst organizational streamlining Amidst ongoing efforts to streamline the state apparatus and reduce staff, the Minister requested the drafting committee to carefully assess the impact of organizational restructuring. The project must remain practical, feasible, and aligned with the limited financial and human resources available at the local level. The final report is expected to be completed and submitted to the Government by May 20, 2026.