Project Closing Workshop Market-based approaches to improving the safety of pork in Vietnam (SafePORK)

The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and partners of Hanoi University of Public Health, Vietnam National University of Agriculture, National Institute of Animal Sciences and University of Sydney have been working on food safety in traditional markets in Vietnam for more than a decade and seeks to reduce the burden of foodborne diseases. Its project ‘Market-based approaches to improving the safety of pork in Vietnam’ (SafePORK) which is funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) developed approaches to improve food safety while safeguarding pork sector livelihoods. SafePORK research shows the public demands appropriate information so consumers can reliably select food safely.

Dr. Fred Unger, Regional Representative of the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) in East and Southeast Asia, said that, after the intervention, the rate of Salmonella infection on retail pork in Vietnam has decreased from 52% before down to 24% .

Agreeing with Mr. Fred Unger's opinion, Dr. Pham Duc Phuc, a member of the project from the University of Public Health, acknowledged that pork is the most consumed in Vietnam and the level of Salmonella infection in pork is very high. On average, 1-2 people per year are at risk of contracting salmonella from pork.

“The 7 main causes identified as the leading causes of unsafe pork are: Poor hygiene, improper storage and processing techniques, long meat transportation time, diseases, unknown pork sources, poor quality input", Mr. Phuc pointed out. Therefore, the team introduced an intervention package to improve hygiene practices, including: Separating raw pork, cooked pork and offal, and regularly cleaning surfaces, equipment and hand of vendors.

Another intervention package was introduced at the abattoirs, guiding the use of stainless-steel plates to prevent carcasses from contacting the floor, frequent hand and surface washing, and better separation of clean areas - dirty to reduce carcass contamination.

SafePORK closing workshop, 28 March 2023

Dr. Pham Duc Phuc - Deputy Director of the Centre for Public Health and Ecosystem Research (CENPHER), presented at the workshop

HUPH representatives, Assoc. Prof. Tran Thi Tuyet Hanh – Head of Dept. of Research Management and Cooperation, Assoc. Prof. La Ngoc Quang – HUPH Vice Rector, Dr. Pham Duc Phuc - Deputy Director of the Centre for Public Health and Ecosystem Research (CENPHER) had a commemorative photograph with Dr. Nguyen Viet Hung – co-leader of SafePORK project.

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