Making packaging commensurate with quality

The Trai Lam noodle production and trading cooperative in Nam Duong commune, Luc Ngan district is famous for clean noodles products consumed domestically and exported. Currently, the cooperative has 10 product lines. In addition to traditional white noodles, there are Green Thuan Huong Chu noodles, vermicelli, and five-color vegetable and rice noodles.

People visit a booth showcasing OCOP products at a seminar introducing Danh mountain ginseng held in Tan Yen district.

In 2019, after its products were rated 3 stars, along with raising quality, the cooperative paid attention to improving product design. Many of its products have bilingual languages (Vietnamese and English) on the packaging.

Thanks to that, the cooperative's noodles have not only been widely consumed in the domestic market but also exported to many countries. In 2023, the cooperative sold about 400 tonnes of goods, of which about 60 tonnes was shipped to Japan, the UK, Russia, the Republic of Korea and China. After deducting costs, the cooperative earned profit hundreds of millions of VND a year.

In 2019, Bac Giang implemented the OCOP programme and was one of the first 6 provinces in the country to develop the project. According to Do Van Huy, head of the Department of Cooperative Economy - Rural Agriculture under the Rural Development Sub-department, after 5 years, the province has 290 OCOP products, of which one is a 5-star product, 26 are 4-star products, and the rest are 3 stars.

Complying with regulations

However, besides improved product designs and packaging, specialised agencies reported many product packages with incomplete and incorrect information compared to regulations.

The Hang Hieu dried lychee is certified as a 4-star OCOP product.

Bac Giang strives to have about 350 OCOP products by 2030, of which four are 5-star, over 130 are 4-star, and the rest are 3-star. To achieve this goal and continuously improve the quality of OCOP products, the province has issued many support policies, including 50% cost support for those who invest in packaging and labelling.

For example, in 2023, the provincial People's Committee has approved a list of products supported in design and packaging and trademark registration with a total funding of more than 3.3 billion VND (130,000 USD).

This year, the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has advised the provincial People's Committee to approve a list of stakeholders assisted in packaging and printing product labels when participating in the OCOP programme in 2024 with a budget of about 1.2 billion VND. Each product has 50% of the costs covered.

With the goal of increasing the value and brand of typical local products, creating jobs and stable income for local people, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development recommended stakeholders strictly implement regulations for OCOP products issued by the provincial People's Committee.

They should pay attention to improving production capacity and expanding consumption markets. In designing and packaging, it is necessary to choose materials that are safe, environmentally friendly, and suitable for the characteristics of each product.

Standardising quality, designs, and product information, when making changes to packaging, labels, or designs, stakeholders need to report to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development for examination and confirmation.

The provincial People's Committee has assigned the department to be in charge of organising inspection and supervision of the management and use of OCOP stamps, and advising the committee to consider revocation in cases of intentional violation.

Hai Van