The incidents have exposed ongoing food safety risks at small-scale and street-side food vendors, where the origin of ingredients and food preparation conditions are often not strictly controlled. On March 9, the Ho Chi Minh City Food Safety Department said the city is entering the peak of the hot season. Households are also encouraged to take responsibility for food safety at home by purchasing ingredients from reputable suppliers, preparing food properly and consuming it immediately after cooking. In hot weather, many foods can spoil within just a few hours if left unrefrigerated. The Food Safety Department has also instructed food businesses to strictly control the origin of ingredients, implement the three-step food inspection process and retain food samples for testing when necessary.

Source: VietNamNet News March 09, 2026 10:18 UTC