On November 10, 2023, in Hanoi, Vietnam National University of Agriculture (VNUA) organized a National Conference on "Food Safety and Health". The conference attracted the attention of nearly 100 members from state management agencies, universities, research institutes, associations in the field of agriculture and food, and students studying majors.
The conference took place with presentations from experts from many different units, opening up a broader perspective on food safety issues and the current status of food safety control. In addition, the conference also received more than 50 research articles by scientists from many research institutes and universities across the country.
Speaking at the Conference, Prof. Dr. Tran Duc Vien, President of the Science and Training Council of Vietnam National University of Agriculture, emphasized the importance of food to health; the efforts of state management agencies, institutes, schools, associations, domestic and international organizations in constantly finding measures and solutions to improve food safety quality. Food safety is an important factor in building trust between consumers and food manufacturers. Highly ensure food safety will create favorable conditions for the development and prosperity of the food industry.
VNUA is a multidisciplinary university, with full components for the food value chain. Faculties of Agronomy, Natural Resources and Environment, Animal Science, Veterinary Medicine, Fisheries, Biotechnology, Food Science and Technology, Economics, Accounting and Business Management... create a chain in training, research and social services; from production, preservation, processing, circulation to consumption... The University has close and diverse cooperative relationships with domestic and international units.
The conference creates opportunities for members to participate in academic exchanges, share useful research information and create a network for future cooperation in the field of food technology in general and especially in food safety.
Prof.Dr. Tran Duc Vien delivers a welcome and opening speech at the conference
Presentations on such topics as: Trends in safe food consumption for health; Food safety - perspective from state management during the integration period; Climate change and food safety; Some compounds harmful to health are produced during food processing; National Action Plan on AMR prevention and control in the agricultural sector for the period 2021-2025 and research results to identify resistance gene populations of carbapenem-resistant resistantE. coli bacteria isolated from pig and livestock waste.
Dr. Nguyen Van Thuan, Department of Quality, Processing and Market Development, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, member of Safegro Project Safety for Development shares "Food safety - perspective from management state in the integration period".
Dr. Tran Cao Son, National Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene Testing presents "Some compounds harmful to health are produced during food processing".
MSc. Bui Thi Dung, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology presents the results of "Trematodes transmitted to humans through food and initial biological control testing".
Presenting at the conference, Associate Professor. Dr. Nguyen Thi Thanh Thuy, Vietnam National University of Agriculture introduced a new concept in Vietnam about creating "Food safety culture and the role of universities". In particular, food safety culture plays a cohesive role to create clear effects on food safety. New concepts of positive, proactive, and reactive food safety culture; the current state of food safety culture in the world and Vietnam was also introduced. The role of schools in helping to build and operate training in different types will help convey food safety culture to more audiences, each individual in the organization will also understand more deeply.
Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Thi Thanh Thuy, Vietnam National University of Agriculture
Food quality management throughout the chain has been paid attention to and improved significantly in recent years. However, the globalization of food markets also increases the challenge of pathogen risk management. Ensuring food safety and public health remains difficult in both developed and developing countries. The workshop also made recommendations and proposals to promote research, application, management and development of food safety and health in Vietnam, contributing to ensuring food security and improve people's quality of life and health.
Delegates at a commemorative photo at the Conference
The national conference "Food Safety and Health" is an important event, helping to create a more general overview of the current food safety situation. The conference is also an opportunity for experts, researchers, managers and consumers to connect, exchange information, experiences, propose policies and solutions to help increase awareness to continue to form good skills and good behavior in food production and consumption, contributing to building a healthier community and world.