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The International Conference on Chemical and Microbiological Risk Assessment for Food Safety was successfully held. Going beyond the framework of a typical academic forum, the conference became a bridge where scientists, food safety managers, and international experts came together to assessed the current situation, propose solutions, and outline a concrete action plan for evidence-based food safety management in Vietnam.
The International Conference on Chemical and Microbiological Risk Assessment for Food Safety” officially concluded after two days of serious, lively, and effective work (December 18-19, 2025). Hosted by the National Institute for Food Control (NIFC) in collaboration with the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), the event attracted the participation of more than 150 reputable scientists, managers, experts, and young scientists.
The organizing committee took a commemorative photo with the delegates and speakers.
In her opening remarks, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Thi Hong Hao, Director General of the National Institute for Food Control and Head of the Conference Organizing Committee, emphasized the importance of the reports presented at the conference, with the aim of developing food safety risk assessment activities in Vietnam. She stated that the conference was an opportunity to introduce the Food Safety Risk Assessment Center (VFSA), established by the Ministry of Health in 2024 and located at the National Institute for Food Control, and to establish extensive collaboration with leading risk assessment organizations worldwide, as well as experts in Vietnam.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Thi Hong Hao - Director General of the National Institute for Food Control, delivered the opening remarks.
At the conference, Dr. Chu Quoc Thinh, Acting Director of the Vietnam Food Administration, highly appreciated the organization of the conference and emphasized the critical role of food safety risk assessment in food safety management in Viet Nam. He expressed his hope that risk assessment would provide scientific evidence, address questions raised by regulatory authorities, and support digital transformation in food safety management. In addition, he shared the Vietnam Food Administration’s key strategic plans to enhance food safety in Viet Nam in the coming period.
Dr. Chu Quoc Thinh – Acting Director of the Vietnam Food Administration - Ministry of Health, delivered a speech.
Dr. Nguyen Viet Hung, Regional Director of International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) Asia highly appreciated the success of the National Institute for Food Control in establishing the Food Safety Risk Assessment Center and promoting food safety risk assessment activities in Vietnam. He stated that ILRI will continue to collaborate with and support food safety risk assessment activities for VFSA and NIFC.
Dr. Nguyen Viet Hung – Regional Director of ILRI Asia, delivered a speech.
Over the two days, the conference’s scientific sessions delivered outcomes beyond expectations. The session on “Risk assessment and risk management” provided an overview of current practices in Vietnam and internationally, highlighting the importance of evidence-based food safety management and the digitization of risk assessment data. The session on “Toxicological Studies in Risk Assessment” featured presentations on modern approaches, bioresponse studies, and toxicological study design, laying a scientific foundation for the establishment of safety thresholds. Meanwhile, the session on “Probabilistic Risk Assessment” focused on probabilistic models for exposure assessment and risk characterization, presenting practical examples of chemical and microbiological risk assessment in Viet Nam and the wider region.
The chairman of the scientific session awarded certificates and flowers to the presenters.
At the conference, delegates and speakers engaged in lively discussions on the methodologies and human resources employed by countries worldwide for risk assessment activities, as well as regulations and guidelines specific to Vietnam. Attendees commended the organizers for their professionalism and highly appreciated both the depth of the content and the practical value of the research presented.
Some of the key reports presented at the conference include:
- Digital framework for food safety risk assessment data: International insights and recommendations for Vietnam. Speaker: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Cao Son (National Institute for Food Control).
- Risk-based food safety inspection: Strategic approach for modernizing national food control systems. Speaker: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Thi Dinh (SAFEGRO Project).
- A risk-based approach to strengthen food safety assessment and interventions in traditional food value chains in Vietnam and the region. Speaker: Dr. Dang Xuan Sinh (International Livestock Research Institute).
- Modern approaches in food safety risk assessment –
Next generation risk assessment for agricultural operators. Speaker: Dr. Denise Bloch (German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment – BfR). - Probabilistic modelling in exposure and risk assessment – theory, practice and future. Speaker: Dr. Matthias Greiner (German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment – BfR).
- Korean Total Diet Study (TDS) for dietary exposure assessment and food safety in Korea. Speaker: Dr. Ock Jin Paek (Ministry of Food and Drug Safety – MFDS).
- Risk-based official controls – Case study from Irelands food control system. Speaker: Dr. Michelle Riblet (Sustainable Food Systems Ireland - SFSI).
- Application of mathematical methods in health risk assessment. Speaker: Dr. Pavel Shur (Federal Scientific Center for Medical and Preventive Health Risk Management Technologies (FBSI), Russian Federation).
- Several studies assess risks such as the risk of salmonellosis in the meat supply chain in Cambodia, the risk of Salmonella contamination in food chains containing chicken in Hanoi and surrounding areas, and the risk of certain harmful substances produced during food processing in Vietnam.
Dr. Denise Bloch presented online at the Conference
Dr. Matthias Greiner gave online presentation at the Conference
During the conference, the chairpersons, speakers, and delegates exchanged and discussed methods, implementation approaches, and difficulties encountered in applying risk assessment to management in Vietnam. The delegates emphasized the need to promote and guide research on Total Dietary Study (TDS) in Vietnam in the coming years, and to strengthen cooperation and training with the Indo-Pacific Agriculture Organization (IPAAO, Canada), the Sustainable Food Systems Ireland (SFSI, Ireland), and the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR, Germany) in the field of risk assessment and risk management for food safety.
Roundtable discussion between the chairpersons, speakers, and attendees
Delegates asked the speaker about the Total Dietary Study (TDS) activities in South Korea.
The conference served not only as a forum for academic exchange among leading experts and managers but also provided a valuable platform for young scientists. The two sessions, “Young Scientists” and the Poster Session, showcased numerous high-quality research projects, reflecting the strong engagement and contributions of the next generation of researchers. To encourage and motivate young researchers, the Organizing Committee awarded 10 prizes, including 2 first prizes, 2 second prizes, 2 third prizes, and 4 consolation prizes.
The organizing committee awarded poster prizes to the presenters.
In her closing remarks at the conference, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Thi Hong Hao, on behalf of the Organizing Committee, expressed sincere gratitude to the co-organizer, the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), as well as to all delegates, speakers, and media representatives. She highlighted the conference’s success in connecting scientific research with practical management needs, addressing challenges, and providing guidance for future research. Especially, the National Institute for Food Control emphasized their commitment to continuing and expanding close cooperation with both international and domestic partners to advance risk assessment and enhance food safety management in Vietnam. They also expressed anticipation in welcoming delegates to the International Food Control Conference (FCC2026) in October 2026.
The organizing committee took a commemorative photo with the speakers and international delegates at the conference.
The International Conference on Chemical and Microbiological Risk Assessment for Food Safety” has established itself as a significant knowledge hub and an effective bridge between science, management, and training. The knowledge, experience, and collaborative networks fostered during the conference are expected to make a significant contribution to protecting consumer health and promoting the sustainable development of the food industry in Vietnam and orthe region.
Some photos of speakers presenting at the Scientific Sessions and Poster Session.
Written by: Ta Thi Yen – Department of Science, Training and International Cooperation
