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Ha Noi Food Hygiene and Safety Department inspectors check moon cakes at the Gia Tien Company in Gia Lam District. — VNA/VNS Photo Huu Oai |
The investigation aimed to find and seize substandard moon cakes, which may be harmful to consumer health, Binh said.
Apart from 250 legal moon cake producers, many seasonal producers were illegally operating in the city, he said.
In addition to moon cakes that meet food hygiene and safety standards, small-scale producers are likely to be selling moon cakes at traditional markets throughout the city in anticipation of the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival that is to fall on September 22.
The prices of the homemade moon cakes ranged from between VND5,000-22,000 (US$0.4-1) and were cheaper than those produced by major bakery firms such as Kinh Do or Dong Khanh, he said.
A Kinh Do moon cake normally costs from VND29,000-68,000 ($1.4-3.4).
Homemade moon cakes could be found on sale at An Dong, District 5, and Binh Tay, District 6, markets and carried neither the baker's name nor expiry date.
Viet Nam Food Safety Science and Technology Association scientist Tran Van Ky said many of the moon cakes produced by seasonal producers on sale in the city's markets were baked from the cheapest materials and did not meet food hygiene and safety standards.
People on low-incomes were easy prey to the cake vendors, he said.
Consumers have been advised to buy only moon cakes from recognised producers, with packaging including expiry date and full food hygiene and safety information. — VNS
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