As many as 53 poisoning cases involving 1,776 people occurred in Vietnam in the first six months of this year, dropping by 40% and 70%, respectively from a year earlier. The figures were released at a meeting on food safety held by the Central Committee on Food Safety and Hygiene presided over by Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan in Hanoi on Aug 9. Between January and June, the country reported nine deaths of food poisoning, heard the meeting, giving no comparative figures. Of the total poisoning cases, 17 were caused by natural toxins, 17 were resulted from microorganism, 10 by chemicals and the remaining cases have not been found. The Law on Food Safety has taken effect since July 1, stipulating that the Ministries of Health; Industry and Trade; Agriculture and Rural Development will promulgate circulars, and standards of technical management by ministries. However, the government has not introduced any decree to guide the management of food safety according to groups of commodities. Deputy PM Nhan urged ministries and other agencies actively advise the government on working out such a decree. Nhan also asked the Health Ministry to better cope with the food poisoning and food additives, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to manage animals and pesticides more effectively, the Ministry of Industry and Trade to build markets ensuring food safety and food processing. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that Vietnam loses VND340 billion ($16.35 million) from food poisoning a year. (Ha Noi Moi –New Hanoi Aug 11, vovnews.vn Aug 10)
