From April 15 to May 15, 2025, the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) joined the Action Month for Food Safety campaign under the theme: “Ensuring Food Safety with a focus on collective kitchens, catering services, and street food”. This campaign aims to raise awareness about making responsible choices in selecting, preparing, and consuming food. Food safety is not only about daily eating habits, but also an essential part of living a healthy life and building a sustainable and safe learning environment.
Neglecting food safety comes with serious risks
With hectic schedules of studying and working, we often resort to eating quickly or grabbing food on the go. However, these rushed meals can pose significant health risks if the food isn’t safe.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), each year around 600 million people (nearly 1 in 10 globally) get sick from unsafe food. Around 420,000 deaths are recorded, mostly among children and young people. In Vietnam, data from the Vietnam Food Administration (Ministry of Health) show hundreds of food poisoning cases each year, with thousands requiring hospitalization.
To help reduce these risks, WHO recommends 10 principal rules for food hygiene and safety that everyone should remember and follow:
- Choose safe food: Prioritize fresh items with clear origins. Wash raw fruits and vegetables thoroughly with clean water and peel them when possible.
- Cook food thoroughly: Make sure the internal temperature reaches at least 70°C.
- Eat immediately after cooking: The longer food is exposed, the higher the risk of contamination.
- Store cooked food properly: After 5 hours, keep food hot above 60°C or cold below 10°C.
- Reheat leftovers thoroughly before eating, especially if they’ve been stored for a while.
- Avoid cross-contamination: Keep raw and cooked food separate; don’t share knives, cutting boards, or prep surfaces.
- Wash your hands thoroughly before preparing food and after any interruptions. Cover any wounds you have when cooking.
- Clean food prep areas and tools regularly: Wash towels, knives, and cutting boards frequently.
- Keep food covered to avoid contact with insects or dust.
- Use clean, safe water for cooking, drinking, and making ice.
Every careful food choice not only protects your health but also reflects a responsible lifestyle and community awareness. Small habits can go a long way in preventing illness.
Eating for a healthy body
In today’s fast-paced world, fast food is everywhere, from nearby stalls to food delivery apps, making it a challenge to maintain a clean, healthy diet. However, even small changes can lead to big impacts.
Start by choosing water or herbal tea over sugary sodas or milk tea,…. Replace refined carbs like white bread or pastries with whole grains for longer-lasting energy. If possible, you should spend time cooking at home to have full control over ingredients and gain better insight into what goes into your body.
Try to cut back on deep-fried and greasy foods, and go for seasonal fruits instead of sugary bottled juices. Reducing red and processed meats, which are often high in salt, and choosing healthier proteins like eggs, tofu, fish, and nuts can help you eat cleaner and feel better every day.
UEH Students prepare their own fresh and delicious meals
How to Recognize Clean, Safe Food
- Clear origin and safety certification: Check labels for food safety certifications. If none, you should prioritize buying food from trusted stores or vendors.
- Look at color, shape, and size: Clean food usually has natural, uneven colors, not overly shiny or perfect. Fruits and vegetables may vary in size, look a bit dull, or have small blemishes – this often signals they’re free from chemical treatment.
- Touch, smell, and taste: Fresh vegetables are crisp, not mushy or overly wet. Fresh fruits might feel rough and not shiny. Clean meat and fish shouldn’t have a strange odor and should maintain their natural scent and color when cooked.
- Avoid chemical residues: Even after washing, chemical residues can remain if used during farming or preservation. To reduce risk, opt for certified organic or food-safe products.
- Buy from reliable sources: Choose reputable markets, supermarkets, or sellers who specialize in clean food. At traditional markets, identify trustworthy vendors and always ask about their production and storage practices.
- Be cautious with processed foods: Items like sausages, cold cuts, and instant meals often contain high salt and preservatives. Limit these and favor fresh, home-prepared alternatives.
- Check expiry dates and storage conditions: Clean foods usually have shorter shelf lives. Always verify expiration dates and store items correctly to preserve freshness and safety.
UEH students choose clean, hygienic canteens for dining
Suggestions for foods that support digestion, skin, and mental well-being:
- Whole grains (brown rice, oats, quinoa): High in fiber, support digestion, and prevent constipation.
- Avocados: Rich in vitamins E and C, protecting skin and offering natural moisture.
- Fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, tuna): Containing omega-3, great for heart health and stress reduction.
- Fresh fruits (bananas, oranges, apples, grapes): Boosting immunity with vitamin C and brightening the skin.
- Yogurt: Adding good bacteria to balance gut flora.
- Dark chocolate: High in flavonoids that soothe the nervous system and boost mood.
- Sweet potatoes: Loaded with beta-carotene, good for skin and digestion.
- Fresh vegetables (tomatoes, broccoli, bell peppers): Packed with vitamins A and C, anti-inflammatory, and skin brightening.
- Nuts (walnuts, almonds, sunflower seeds): Providing brain-boosting nutrients and emotional support.
Personal Hygiene: A simple but powerful tool for disease prevention
Keeping yourself clean is just as important as food hygiene in preventing foodborne illness. A report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – CDC (2022) showed that handwashing with soap can reduce the risk of diarrheal diseases by up to 40% and respiratory infections by 21%.
Clean hands, avoiding direct contact with food by using dirty hands, and keeping personal items and eating spaces hygienic are essential daily habits. Early signs like skin rashes, digestive issues, or constant fatigue can stem from poor personal hygiene and bacterial infections.
Follow these simple steps for proper handwashing:
6-Step Handwashing Process from the Ministry of Health. Source: Vinmec
Maintaining personal hygiene not only protects your health but also contributes to a safer, cleaner, and more civilized campus environment at UEH.
Clean Shared Spaces at UEH Dormitories
Ensuring food safety is everyone’s responsibility—from washing hands and choosing the right meals to maintaining a clean living environment. This is how every UEHer not only stays healthy but also inspires those around them to live more positively.
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News & Photos: Department of Student Affairs