HCM City Detects 3,840 Violation Cases of Food Safety in 2009

Ho Chi Minh City’s health department detected 3,840 cases violating regulations on food safety and hygiene last year, the Dai Bieu Nhan Dan newspaper reported. The local authorities inspected 17,980 food establishments and imposed more than VND8.6 billion ($452,600) fines on 1,690 violation cases during the period. As many as 239 facilities were suspended operations, the department added. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that Vietnam loses VND340 billion a year on the issues.