Hanoi tightens food traceability from slaughterhouses to schools

Hanoi authorities are intensifying efforts to monitor food traceability following reports that over 80% of food batches recorded in the city's system lack essential information. As of November 4, 2026, out of 696,645 recorded batches, 561,042 were found to be missing critical data.

In the education sector, data gaps are particularly evident. Among 4,156 schools monitored, public schools show a 47.2% rate of menu updates, while non-public schools lag at 30.6%. Notably, 14 non-public schools have suppliers that have failed to input any data into the system.

National officials have also noted systemic challenges. While approximately 800,000 products are registered on the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment's system, only about 20% possess sufficient traceability information. Experts emphasize that the presence of a QR code does not guarantee a complete traceability system, which must track products from raw materials through production, transport, and distribution to allow for targeted recalls during safety incidents.