The northern province of Lang Son shares a border line of over 250 kilometres with China, including two international border gates (Huu Nghi and Dong Dang station) and three national border gates (Tan Thanh, Chi Ma and Coc Nam). So various kinds of goods are imported to Vietnam through these border gates. The inter-agency forces of Lang Son checks tens of thousands of vehicles with hundreds of thousands tonnes of food each year. In 2006, the provincial forces checked 17,000 vehicles, most in Tan Thanh and Chi Ma border gates) with about 230,000 tonnes of food and goods. The health and agriculture and rural development sectors supervise and check the import of food. However, they are just able to focus on checking of manufacturers' standards, photos of invoices, certificates of origin, packages, etc.

According to Do Van Thuoc of the  Lang Son province's  veterinary department, in 2006, the province seized and culled 79,500 kilogrammes of chicken, 55,000 chickens and ducks, nearly 243,500 poultry eggs... However, there is a great volume entering the domestic market without supervision. Recently, when rumours spread about the Sudan substance, which causes great harm to human's health, consumers are worried about eggs. In fact, the consumption of chickens and eggs has been reduced significantly. Ms Pham Thanh Thuy, a seller in Hanoi-based Da market, said that she could sell 150-200 eggs per day, but now it is only 50-60 eggs per day.

The volume of goods, especially flowers, fruits, confectionery, drinks has seen a sharp increase compared to usual. One month before Tet , market management and concerned agencies have cracked down on fake goods production and consumption rings. Relevant agencies discovered and confiscated a great volume of faked goods.

There are about 150-200 cases of food poisoning which has affected people's health. Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Sinh Hung, at recent conferences on food hygiene and safety, asked the steering boards on food hygiene and safety of ministries, sectors and localities to enhance their roles in managing food hygiene and safety. Checks and supervision must be enhanced, especially on Tet.

According to Associated Professor and doctor Tran Dang, director of the Department of Food Hygiene and Safety, the Ministry of Public Health, the authorised agencies focus on the hygienic conditions of food manufacturers and enhance the campaign against illegal imports of faked goods or goods without certificate of origin.

It is hoped that with such measures, the food poisoning and diseases caused by unsafe food will be prevented for the sake of people's health.

By NGUYEN KHOI