Brian Jeffrey
The Nguyen Ninh green rice cake (bánh cốm) production site on Hang Than Street in Hanoi has been closed indefinitely after a surprise inspection uncovered serious health code violations.
On January 2, the local Food Safety Inspection Team No. 1 conducted an unannounced evaluation as part of a larger initiative to ensure food safety ahead of the upcoming 2025 Lunar New Year and spring festivities.
During the inspection at the Nguyen Ninh facility in the Ba Dinh District, inspectors discovered various issues, such as the absence of necessary health certifications and training documentation for the owner and five workers. The team also found that the establishment could not provide documentation of raw material origins, food additives, and the packaging coming into direct contact with food.
The hygiene conditions in the production area were also substandard. There was no organization based on a one-way flow system, and distinct zones for various production stages were missing. The production area was shared with living quarters, and there was no specific section dedicated to product packaging and labeling.
Additional concerns involved the facility’s deteriorating condition, including moldy and damaged walls, ceilings, and floors. Open drains were blocked with waste and stagnant water, and pests were observed in the workspace, highlighting inadequate contamination prevention measures.
Moreover, materials and products were not stored properly, with no designated areas for packaging or shelving, and the equipment was not maintained to hygiene standards. Workers were also noted to be lacking in proper protective clothing.
Product labeling discrepancies were found, as they did not align with the self-declared standards and did not adhere to Vietnam’s labeling laws.
As a result, the inspection team has mandated the immediate suspension of Nguyen Ninh’s operations while assigning the Ba Dinh District Food Safety Steering Committee the task of overseeing the facility’s compliance efforts.
The local authorities will ensure that the facility rectifies the identified issues and submits a report detailing the progress and results of these corrections.
Nguyen Ninh is well-known in Hanoi for its traditional bánh cốm, a delicacy integral to Vietnamese culture and celebrations. This temporary closure underscores the critical need for compliance with stringent food safety standards to uphold public confidence and protect consumer health.
