FOOD LAWS
Vietnam is in the process of updating its Food Safety Ordinance from 2003 to establish a comprehensive Food Safety Law A drafting committee, led by the health minister, has been formed to oversee this initiative Updates on the progress of the law will be provided in future communications.
Vietnam’s Standing Committee of the National Assembly (NA), the country's legislature approved the Ordinance on Food Safety in July 22, 2003, which regulates the hygienic processing of foods and foodstuffs.
The ordinance, with seven chapters and 58 articles, provides that all food producers and processors, including households, individuals, and organizations, must ensure hygiene during processing.
The regulation prohibits any activities involving the handling of stale, spoiled, contaminated, or unhealthy foods that pose risks to public health Additionally, the sale of food products containing harmful germs or diseases is strictly forbidden.
The ordinance regulates all genetically modified foods, which are quite new for most Vietnamese consumers, must be clearly labeled as such.
The ordinance became effective from November 01, 2003 (for more detail pls see VM 3014)
LABELLING REQUIREMENTS
On August 30, 2006, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung enacted Decree No 89/2006/ND-CP, which updated the regulations on goods labeling, replacing the previous Decision No 178/1999/QDTTg and its amendments Although the decree was initially set to take effect in March 2007, its implementation was postponed to September 2007 due to delays in issuing the necessary guidelines.
(Nutritional Labelling, Green Labelling, Health Claims, Organic Labelling)
On August 30, 1999 the Prime Minister of Vietnam issued a new decree concerning the labelling of consumer products in Vietnam Decision TTg 178-99 nominally went into force on March 1,
Since 2000, the relevant ministries have not yet issued the implementing regulations for the decree, which is primarily overseen by the Ministry of Trade (MOT) A significant aspect of this decree is the mandate for a Vietnamese language panel, ensuring that the production and application of Vietnamese language labels are carried out in nearly all instances.
Vietnamese importers and distributors must ensure that goods have cleared customs before they can be sold at retail The Market Police will conduct spot checks at retail outlets to enforce compliance with this decree.
Decree No178-99/QD- TTg on August 30, 1999, by the Prime Minister
THE REGULATION ON THE LABELING OF GOODS TO BE CIRCULATED IN THE
COUNTRY, AND EXPORT AS WELL AS IMPORTED GOODS
( Issued together with Decision No178/1999/QD-TTg of August 30, 1999, of the Prime Minister)
This regulation outlines the labeling requirements for products manufactured in Vietnam intended for domestic distribution and export, as well as for foreign-made goods that are imported for sale in the Vietnamese market.
Goods encompass processed foodstuffs, raw and fresh food items, essential commodities, and necessities that are not pre-packaged for direct consumer sale However, foods and beverages that are ready-to-eat and consumed within 24 hours are excluded from this regulation.
This implementing Regulation applies to organizations, individuals, and merchants involved in the production and trade of goods made in Vietnam for domestic use or export, as well as those importing goods for sale within Vietnam.
In this Regulation, the following terms shall be construed as follow:
Goods labels are essential inscriptions, drawings, or images affixed to products or their packaging, providing crucial information about the items These labels can be imprinted, embossed, or securely attached, ensuring that consumers have access to important details regarding the goods.
Merchandise packings refer to the packaging that is directly associated with products and sold alongside them to consumers This includes two main types: holding packings, which are designed to physically contain and shape the goods, ensuring they maintain their form, and exterior packings, which serve to enclose one or more holding packings.
3 Non-merchandise packings are those not retailed together with goods, including various kinds used in the transportation and preservation of goods for means of transportation or in warehouses.
Goods labeling involves providing essential information on product labels to help consumers identify items, aiding their purchasing decisions and usage This labeling also supports regulatory bodies in inspecting and supervising the goods effectively.
5 Compulsory content of goods labels is the part containing the most important information about goods that must be inscribed on the goods labels.
6 Non-compulsory content of goods labels is the part containing other information other than the content compulsory inscribed on the goods labels.
The Principal Display Panel (PDP) is a crucial section of product labels where mandatory information is prominently displayed for consumers It is designed to be easily visible under typical retail conditions and should accurately reflect the size of the packaging that directly contains the product Importantly, the PDP must not be placed on the bottom of the packaging.
The information part, located to the right of the principal display panel, includes non-compulsory labeling details and may also feature essential information when the principal display panel lacks sufficient space for all required content.
Article 4: Basic requirements of goods labels
All labels on goods must feature clear and accurate letters, numbers, drawings, images, signs, and marks that truly represent the product's properties Labels should avoid ambiguous inscriptions to prevent misunderstandings or confusion with other product labels.
Article 5 : Language used to display goods labels
Goods circulated within the country must have labels inscribed in Vietnamese, although additional foreign languages may be included in smaller text depending on the specific requirements for each type of product.
Export goods labels can be written in the language(s) of the importing country or territory, provided that this arrangement is specified in the sale or purchase contracts.
For goods imported for sale in the Vietnam market, the labeling must comply with specific language requirements Merchants are required to request that suppliers include mandatory information on the original labels when signing the import contract.
PACKAGING AND CONTAINER REGULATIONS
There are currently no regulations governing the size or weight of imported food containers, nor are there laws regarding the recycling of these containers However, restrictions exist on the use of packaging materials, detailed in pages 56-61 of Part B (Standards on the Safety and Hygiene of Food Packaging Materials) under Stage II (Limitations on Contaminants) of Decree Number 867 issued by the Ministry of Health on April 4, 1998 These restrictions specifically target certain groups of packaging materials, focusing on food additives and contaminants to ensure product hygiene and safety.
Each material group is governed by regulations that specify the allowable levels of impurities and the testing methods for their specific sub-groups For instance, in PVC, the maximum permitted levels are 55 ppm for ibutyltin, 1000 ppm for cresyl phosphate, and 1 ppm for vinyl chloride Testing for ibutyltin, for example, is conducted at 25°C over a duration of one hour to ensure compliance with these standards.
FOOD ADDITIVE REGULATIONS
On August 31, 2001, the Ministry of Health released Decree No 3742/2001/QD-BTY, which outlines the approved list of food additives for use in food products This decree categorizes the permitted food additives into 21 distinct groups according to their specific functions.
Food additives are categorized using the International Numbering System (INS) and are also listed in alphabetical order The decree specifies the maximum levels (ML) of approved food additives permitted for various food types For further details, please refer to the post, which is available in Vietnamese only.
Decree No 3742/2001/QD-BTY updates the list of permitted food additives, replacing the previous regulations set by the Ministry of Health.
No 867/1998/QD-BYT dated April 4, 1998 (please see VM9019)
List of food additives allowed to use in food (in accordance with Ministry of Health Decision No.3742/2001/QD-BYT dated August 31, 2001)
NO INS Names of food additives
1 100i Vàng Curcumin (Vàng nghệ) Curcumin
Yellow FCF) Sunset Yellow FCF
12 129 §á Allura AC Allura Red AC
14 133 Xanh Brilliant FCF Brilliant Blue FCF
16 141i Clorophyl phức đồng Chlorophyll Copper Complex
17 141ii Clorophyl phức đồng (muối
Chlorophyll Copper Complex, Sodium And Potassium Salts
19 143 Xanh lôc bÒn (FCF) Fast Green FCF
20 150a Caramen nhóm I (không xử lý) Caramel I- Plain
21 150c Caramen nhóm III (xử lý amoni) Caramel III - Ammonia Process
22 150d Caramen nhóm IV (xử lý amoni sulfit) Caramel IV - Ammonia Sulphite Process
23 151 §en Brilliant PN Brilliant Black PN
25 160ai Beta-caroten tổng hợp Beta-Carotene (Synthetic)
26 160aii Caroten tự nhiên (chiết xuất từ thùc vËt) Natural Extracts (carotenes)
27 160b ChÊt chiÕt xuÊt tõ Annatto Annatto Extracts
28 160e Beta-Apo-Carotenal Beta-Apo-Carotenal
29 160f Este Metyl (hoặc Etyl) của axit
Beta-Apo-8'-Carotenic Acid, Methyl Or Ethyl Ester
31 163ii ChÊt chiÕt xuÊt tõ vá nho Grape Skin Extract
34 172i Sắt oxit, đen Iron Oxide, Black
35 172ii Sắt oxit, đỏ Iron Oxide, Red
36 172iii Sắt oxit, vàng Iron Oxide, Yellow
50 222 Natri hydro sulfit Sodium Hydrogen Sulphite
52 224 Kali meta bisulfit Potassium Metabisulphite
54 227 Canxi hydro sulfit Calcium Hydrogen Sulphite
62 260 Axit axetic b¨ng Acetic Acid, Glacial
63 261 Kali axetat (các muối) Potassium Acetates
65 262ii Natri diaxetat Sodium Diacetate
67 270 Axit lactic (L-, D- và DL-) Lactic Acid (L-, D- and DL-)
70 296 Axit malic Malic Acid (DL-)
Isoascorbic) Erythorbic Acid (Isoascorbic Acid)
82 319 Tert-Butylhydroquinon (TBHQ) Tertiary Butylhydroquinone
83 320 Butylat hydroxy anisol (BHA) Butylated Hydroxyanisole
84 321 Butylat hydroxy toluen (BHT) Butylated Hydroxytoluene
90 331i Natri dihydro xitrat Sodium Dihydrogen Citrate
91 331iii Trinatri xitrat Trisodium Citrate
92 332i Kali dihydro xitrat Potassium Dihydrogen Citrate
93 332ii Trikali xitrat Tripotassium Citrate
97 335ii Dinatri tactrat Disodium Tartrate
99 336ii Dikali tactrat Dipotassium Tartrate
100 337 Kali natri tartrat Potassium Sodium Tartrate
103 339ii Dinatri orthophosphat Disodium Orthophosphate
104 339iii Trinatri orthophosphat Trisodium Orthophosphate
105 340 iii Trikali orthophosphat Tripotassium Orthophosphate
107 340ii Dikali orthophosphat Dipotassium Orthophosphate
109 341ii Dicanxi orthophosphat Dicalcium Orthophosphate
110 341iii Tricanxi orthophosphat Tricalcium Orthophosphate
112 343iii Trimagie orthophosphat Trimagnesium Orthophosphates
113 352ii Canxi malat Calcium Malate
115 356 Natri adipat (các muối) Sodium Adipates
116 357 Kali adipat (các muối) Potassium Adipates
118 381 Sắt amoni xitrat Ferric Ammonium Citrate
120 385 Canxi dinatri etylen-diamin- tetra-axetat
Calcium Disodium Ethylene-Diamine- Tetra-Acetate
121 386 Dinatri Etylen-Diamin-Tetra- axetat (EDTA)
Disodium Ethylene-Diamine-Tetra- Acetate
129 405 Propylen glycol alginat Propylene Glycol Alginate
Carrageenan và muối Na, K, NH4 của nó (bao gồm Furcellaran)
Carrageenan and its Na, K, NH4 salts (includes Furcellaran)
132 410 Gôm đậu Carob Carob Bean Gum
135 414 Gôm Arabic Gum Arabic (Acacia Gum)
140 420 Sorbitol và siro sorbitol Sorbitol and Sorbitol Syrup
145 442 Muối Amoni của axit phosphatidic Ammonium Salts Of Phosphatidic Acid
146 444 Sucroza axetat isobutyrat Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate
147 445 Glycerol Esters của nhựa cây Glycerol Esters Of Wood Resin
149 450ii Trinatri diphosphat Trisodium Diphosphate
150 450iii Tetranatri diphosphat Tetrasodium Diphosphate
151 450iv Dikali diphosphat Dipotassium Diphosphate
153 450vi Dicanxi diphosphat Dicalcium Diphosphate
154 450vii Canxi dihydro diphosphat Calcium Dihydrogen Diphosphate
155 450viii Dimagie diphosphat Dimagnesium Diphosphate
157 451ii Pentakali triphosphat Pentapotassium Triphosphate
159 452ii Kali polyphosphat Potassium Polyphosphate
160 452iii Natri canxi polyphosphat Sodium Calcium Polyphosphate
161 452iv Canxi polyphosphat Calcium Polyphosphates
163 460i Xenluloza vi tinh thÓ Microcrystalline Cellulose
165 465 Metyl etyl xenluloza Methyl Ethyl Cellulose
166 466 Natri cacboxy metyl xenluloza Sodium Carboxymethyl Cellulose
167 470 Muối của axit myristic, palmitic và stearic ( NH4, Ca, K, Na)
Salts Of Myristic, Palmitic and Stearic Acids (Ca, Na, K, NH4)
168 470 Muối của axit oleic ( Ca, K, Na) Salts of Oleic Acid (Ca, Na, K)
169 471 Mono và diglycerit của các axit bÐo Mono- And Di-Glycerides Of Fatty
170 472b Este của glycerol với Axit lactic và các axit béo
Lactic And Fatty Acid Esters Of Glycerol
171 472c Este của glycerol với Axit xitric và Axit béo Citric And Fatty Acid Esters Of Glycerol
172 472e Este của glycerol với Axit diaxetyl tactaric và Axit béo
Diacetyl tartaric And Fatty Acid Esters
Hỗn hợp giữa este của glyxerol với Axit axetic và Axit béo và este của glyxerol với Axit tactric và Axit béo
Mixed Tartaric, Axetic And Fatty Acid Esters Of Glycerol
174 473 Este của Sucroza với các axít bÐo Sucrose Esters of Fatty acids
176 475 Este của polyglycerol với Axit bÐo Polyglycerol Esters Of Fatty Acids
177 480 Dioctyl natri sulfosuxinat Dioctyl Sodium Sulphosuccinate
186 500ii Natri hydro cacbonat Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate
189 503ii Amoni hydro cacbonat Ammonium Hydrogen Carbonate
195 521 Nhôm natri sulphat Aluminium Sodium Sulphate
196 522 Nhôm kali sulphat Aluminium Potassium Sulphate
197 523 Nhôm amoni sulphat Aluminium Ammonium Sulphate
207 541i Natri nhôm phosphat-axit Sodium Aluminium Phosphate-acidic
208 541ii Natri nhôm phosphat-bazơ Sodium Aluminium Phosphate-Basic
209 551 Silicon dioxit vô định hình Silicon Dioxide, Amorphous
213 554 Natri nhôm silicat Sodium Aluminosilicate
214 556 Canxi nhôm silicat Calcium Aluminium Silicate
216 575 Glucono Delta-Lacton Glucono Delta-Lactone
229 901 Sáp ong (trắng và vàng) Beeswax, White And Yellow
233 905a Dầu khoáng (dùng cho thực phÈm) Mineral Oil, Food Grade
234 905ci Sáp vi tinh thể Microcrystalline Wax
235 905cii Sáp dầu Paraffin Wax
238 942 Khí nitơ oxit Nitrous oxide
242 954 Sacarin (và muối Na, K, Ca của nã) Saccharin (And Na, K, Ca Salts)
244 999 ChÊt chiÕt xuÊt tõ Quillaia Quillaia Extracts
249 1102 Glucoza Oxidaza (Aspergillus niger var.) Glucose Oxidase (Aspergillus niger var.)
252 1400 Dextrin, tinh bột rang trắng, vàng Dextrins, Roasted Starch White And
253 1401 Tinh bột đã đợc xử lý bằng axit Acid-Treated Starch
254 1402 Tinh bột đã đợc xử lý bằng kiÒm Alkaline Treated Starch
255 1403 Tinh bột đã khử màu Bleached Starch
256 1404 Tinh bột xử lý oxi hóa Oxidized Starch
257 1405 Tinh bột, xử lý bằng enzim Enzyme-Treated Starches
260 1412 Diamidon phosphat (este hãa víi
Natri trimetaphosphat hoặc với Phospho Oxyclorua)
Distarch Phosphate Esterified With Sodium Trimetaphosphate; Esterified With Phosphorus Oxychloride
261 1413 Diamidon phosphat Phosphated Distarch Phosphate
262 1414 Diamidon phosphat đã axetyl hoá Acetylated Distarch Phosphate
263 1420 Amidon axetat (este hoá với
Anhydrit axetic) Starch acetate, Esterified with Axetic anhydride
264 1421 Amidon axetat este hoá với Vinyl axetat
Starch acetate, Esterified with Vinyl Axetate
265 1422 Diamidon adipat đã axetyl hoá Acetylated Distarch Adipat
266 1423 Diamidon glyxerol đã axetyl Acetylated Distarch Glycerol
267 1440 Amidon hy®roxypropyl Hydroxypropyl Starch
268 1442 Diamidon hydroxypropyl phosphat Hydroxypropyl Distarch Phosphate
269 1443 Diamidon hydroxypropyl glyxerol Hydroxypropyl Distarch Glycerol
270 1450 Amidon natri octenyl suxinat Starch Sodium Octenyl Succinate
273 CQ§ Gelatin thùc phÈm Gelatin Edible
274 CQ§ Malt carbohydraza Malt carbohydrase
The Ministry of Health defines food additives as non-nutritive substances added to food in limited amounts to enhance quality, shape, odor, and acidity, while also meeting technological requirements for food production and preservation It is important to note that harmful contaminants such as poisonous micro-fungi, heavy metals, herbal preservatives, and animal medicines are not classified as food additives.
To use approved food additives in production, processing, treatment, preservation, packing and transportation of food must be in comply with “Regulations on Food Safety” stated in the
Ministry of Health Decree No.4196/1999/QD-BYT dated December 1999.
Only food additives on the list can be produced, traded and imported to Vietnam and it also must be certified to meet food safety requirement by an authorized agencies.
To use approved food additives must:
- Not more than permitted maximum level
- Meet technical, hygiene requirements set for each food additive
- Not change the physical, chemical and nutritional contents and commercial value of the food
- Label food additives that are circulated in the market in accordance with the current regulation For special food additive, there must be a guidance for use.
Annually, Vietnam Food Administration (VFA) reviews status of using food additives based on benefit of human health.
PESTICIDE AND OTHER CONTAMINANTS
In Vietnam, imported food products are subject to the same regulations regarding pesticide and contaminant residues as domestic products These regulations are designed to safeguard consumers from potential poisoning and other harmful effects, ensuring food safety and public health.
At present, the valid document relevant to this subject is the "List of Food products Hygienic Standards" under the Decision N o 867 by the Ministry of Heath dated 04 th April, 1998 (see
The VM9019 regulation clearly outlines the maximum allowable limits for pesticide residues in specific food products Key concerns for regulatory agencies include the presence of mycotoxins, microorganisms, metals, veterinary drugs, and plant protection chemicals in food Oversight of these issues is managed by the National Committee of Food Security.
Ministry of Health that specialises in supervising the performance of such regulations.
Followings are the summary and description of some pesticide/contaminant legal regulations in the mentioned "List of Food products Hygienic Standards".
1 Micro-organism residue limits in food products (Ref: “List of Food products
Hygienic Standards", Chapter II, Stage IV)
Food products are categorized into 13 main groups, including meat, fish, eggs, milk, cereals, fruits, and vegetables, among others Each category has specific regulations regarding the allowable residue of microorganisms per gram or milliliter For example, fresh and frozen meat can have a maximum E coli residue of 10² per 1g/ml Additionally, guidelines such as Good Agricultural Practices (G.A.P) are implemented to manage microorganism residue levels in certain food categories, particularly vegetables.
2 Mycotoxin maximum residues in food products (Ref: “List of Food products Hygienic
Standards", Chapter I -Limitations on Food Additives and Contaminants, Stage II, Part A.)
Order Mytocoxin Food products Maximum residue (ppb)
3 Maximum veterinary drug residues in meat products (Ref: “List of Food products
Hygienic Standards", Chapter I - Limitations on Food Additives and Contaminants, Stage II, Part F)
This section outlines the permitted drugs, their associated products, acceptable daily intake (ADI) levels, and maximum residue limits It highlights five key drug categories of significant interest to researchers, including anti-parasitic medications such as Levamisole and various types of aspirins, specifically Cloramphenicol, Flumequin, Olaquindox, and Spectinomycin.
Sunfadimidin); drugs against primitive animals (Ronidazol); Glucocorticosteroit (Dexametazon); Trypanocit (Diminazon).
4 Plant protection chemical residues in food products (Ref: “List of Food products
Hygienic Standards", Chapter II, Stage II.)
Plant protection chemicals are defined as finished products derived from various sources, including chemicals, plants, animals, and micro-organisms, to safeguard plant resources It is essential that all food products available in the market comply with regulations, ensuring they do not exceed the permissible levels of plant protection chemicals (measured in mg/kg).
5 Metal residues in food products (Ref: “List of Food products Hygienic Standards",
Chapter I, Stage II, Part E and as given in Appendix 4 of this Report)
Maximum tolerance levels for approved pesticides are generally consistent for both domestic and imported food products, except when specific regulations are absent and CODEX standards apply Vietnam's regulations on imported food are still developing, which presents opportunities for foreign exporters to enter the Vietnamese market The pesticide residue levels in food products are largely compliant with international standards, allowing those with quality certifications from their home countries to access the market easily However, it is essential that the exporting country is a reputable partner with advanced development, and the exporter must not have any questionable intentions.
All food products as well as pesticides that want to be imported into Vietnam must be inspected and registered before circulation Every year, the Government, the Ministry of Science,
The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Ministry of Technology and Environment, annually publishes a list of export and import goods that require quality inspection, with minimal yearly changes New pesticides not recognized in the domestic market must be fully registered with the Ministry of Health, and imported food products or pesticides that are not permitted for unrestricted consumption will not receive a registration certificate Foreign exporters seeking detailed information on these regulations can contact the Ministry of Health or the Municipal Committees of Food Security.
In Vietnam, pesticides must be registered Plant Protection Department (PPD) of the Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Development is the government body assigned to manage pesticides registration.
Before a pesticide can be sold or utilized, it must be registered with the PPD, which involves several steps Initially, the importer or trader must obtain permission for field testing The documentation required for this field testing includes a detailed dossier.
- Application form for field testing (form provided by the PPD)
- Notarized copy of property right to use the product or authorized letter for using the product or similar document
- Technical document in Vietnamese or English copied from original document and certified by authorized agency.
- A sample of the product’s label.
It takes about 5 working days for the PPD to review the application Fee charged for a permission on field testing of new pesticide ranges from VND 2 million to VN 2.8 million ($125-$170).
Once permission for field testing is obtained, the registrant must collaborate with a local agency to conduct the test, which typically spans approximately two years The cost of field testing varies by case, but it is generally estimated to be around VND 100 million ($6,200).
The PPD will determine whether to grant pesticide registration permission in Vietnam based on field testing results The fee for obtaining this registration permission is approximately VND 7.3 million.
($453) The registering permission is valid for 5 years The registering permission should be extended at the cost of VND 2 million ($125).
For more detail on pesticide registration, please contact:
Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Development
No.49 Ho Dac Di Street
Tel: (844) 8518 194/fax: (844) 533 1562/email: p.qlt@fpt.vn website: http://www.ppd.gov.vn
Each year, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) in Vietnam publishes a comprehensive list categorizing pesticides into those permitted, restricted, and banned for use The latest update is outlined in MARD’s Decision No 23/2007/QD-BNN, issued on March 8, detailing the approved pesticides and regulations in place to ensure agricultural safety and compliance.
2007 The list can be down load from MARD’ website: http://www.mard.gov.vn or http://www.ppd.gov.vn
However, it is available in Vietnamese only Please contact Post for the list in detail.
OTHER REGULATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
(Product Registration, Testing, Certification, Special Documentation or Conformity Assessment Requirements)
All food products imported into Vietnam should meet the following additional requirements:
Ref: Decision No.42/2005/QDBYT of the Ministry of Health dated December 08, 2005 promulgating the regulation on announcing standards of foods
Imported foodstuffs (as well as locally produced foodstuffs) must obtain a Food Standards
Registration Certificate (RC) issued by Vietnam Food Administration (VFA) under Ministry of Health (MOH)
The Vietnam Food Administration (VFA) issues a Registration Certificate (RC) for imported food products to traders and importers upon their submission of an announcement regarding the food's quality, safety, and hygiene standards, ensuring compliance with the relevant Vietnamese legal requirements.
RC for imported foodstuff is valid for three (03) years.
The registration requirement does not apply to meat, whether fresh, chilled, or frozen, as well as non-traded foods intended for personal use, gifts, or those meant for Diplomatic and International Organizations, including samples for fairs and trial studies.
Below are the details on the registration requirement:
1.a For Food Products (in general):
Important documents required to present to the VFA/Division of Food Registration are as follows:
A Certificate of Analysis (CA) outlines the product specifications set by the manufacturer, ensuring compliance with essential quality and safety standards for food This certificate can be issued by either the manufacturer or an independent testing agency from the country of origin If a CA is unavailable, a certificate from recognized testing agencies in Vietnam will be accepted.
- Product label: Product label (or its photos) and draft contents of the Vietnamese label (with the trader company's stamp); labeled samples (if requested for testing)
- Notarized copy of one of the following certificates (if any): Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP); Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP); or an equivalent certificate.
For food that has been treated with radiation or contains genetically modified ingredients, it is essential to provide additional documentation This includes a copy of the certificate from the country of origin that authorizes the food for human consumption within its territory, along with an explanation of the product's production chart.
In addition to above mentioned documents in 1.a., a Certificate of Free Sale (or Health
Certificate) granted by the competent authority of the country of origin for such food additive is required
CODEX standards is applied in case there is no Vietnamese reference.
Special foods refer to a category of products designed for specific consumer needs, offering unique health benefits or intended for particular uses This group includes nutritious options for infants, foods suitable for catheter feeding, genetically modified items, radiation-treated products, and functional foods that enhance health.
Besides the above required documents in 1.a, specific documents are required for specific products, including:
Nutritious food products for infants must include a Certificate of Free Sale, also known as a Health Certificate, issued by a recognized state agency in the country of origin This certification ensures that the product is appropriate for specific age groups and targeted children, guaranteeing its safety and suitability for infant consumption.
-For medically nutritious food products: additional required document is Result of Clinical Tests on application of such food for medical purpose
-For nutritious foods to be taken through catheters: additional document is Result of Clinical Tests on taking such food through catheters
-For functional foods: additional document is Result of Clinical Tests (or reference documents) on application of such food to safely improve health of targetted users
2.1 For foods (other than unprocessed food originated from animal, plants and mari ne):
- Decision 818/QDBYT of the Ministry of Health dated 5/3/2007 on the list of harmonized-system- coded goods subject to compulsory State control examination on food safety
- Decision 23/2007/BYT of the Ministry of Health dated 29/3/2007 regarding State testing examination to ensure quality, hygiene and safety of imported foods.
In accordance with Decision 818/QDBYT issued by the Ministry of Health (MOH) at the request of the Vietnam Food Administration (VFA), a range of food products from 12 distinct food groups has been identified for mandatory state examination regarding their quality and safety.
- Preparations of Meat, of Fish (Chapter 15)
- Animal or Vegetable Fats and Oils (chapter 16)
- Sugar and Sugar Confectionary (Chapter 17)
- Cacoa and Coca Preparations (Chapter 18)
- Preparations of Cereals, Flour, Starch or Milk, Pastrycooks products (Chapter 19)
- Preparations of Vegetables, Fruits, Nuts (Chapter 20)
- Miscellaneous Edible Preparations (Condiments – Chapter 21)
- Fruit Juices, Beverages, Spirits and Vinegar (Chapter 20 and 22)
- Functioning foods, Medical Foods (HS 1517.90; HS2106.90.92; 2106.90.95; 2106.90.99; 2202.10.10; 2202.10.90; 2205.10)
- Food Additives (20 food additive groups i.e Acididity Regulators, Flavor Enhancers, Stabilizers, Preservatives, Anticaking and Antifoaming Agents, Emulisifiers, Antioxidants, Firming Agents, Colors, Artificial Sweeteners etc.)
Food quality and safety control examinations for goods utilizing the Harmonized System (HS) code are conducted in accordance with Vietnamese Standards (TCVN) and Technical Standards When Vietnamese references are unavailable, CODEX standards are implemented to ensure compliance.
State Control/Testing Agencies (SCA) affiliated with the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) are designated to ensure that imported foods meet established food quality and safety standards.
Northern Region National Nutrition Institute (MOH)
Technical Center Number 1 (MOST) Central Region Nha Trang Pasteur Institute (MOH)
Highlands Region Epidemiological and Hygiene Institute (MOH)
Southern Region Public Health and Hygiene Institute (MOH)
In Central region, for Danang, MOH has just appointed Danang Preserved Health Center to be the
3 rd SCA (Decision 19/2007/QDBYT of MOH dated 8/3/2007).
In Southern Region, for Ho Chi Minh City, MOH has just appointed Vinacontrol as the third SCA for imported foods (Decision 22/2007/QDBYT of MOH dated 20/3/2007).
According to Decision 23/2007/BYT from the Ministry of Health (MOH), imported foods must undergo quality testing by designated State Testing Agencies (STAs) to ensure compliance with Vietnam's import quality standards The testing criteria encompass product appearance, labeling, major chemical analysis, physical and microbiological assessments, nutritional value, and food additives Without a Certificate from STAs confirming that the imported foods meet Vietnam's quality and safety requirements, these products are prohibited from circulation within the country.
Necessary documents to submit to STA include:
- Result of Tests, CA (if any)
There are four application levels of quality testing:
- Strict testing: applied on high-risk foods and on foods that have got historical testing records of quality inconformity.
- Reduced testing: applied on foods from the same source having RC; GMP/HACCP certificate, and historical testing record of two-time approvals
- Testing Exemption: applied on foods from the same source having historical testing records of 5-time approvals
For reduced and exempted testing, importers/traders must acquire acceptance letters from MOH
In certain circumstances, Vietnam may accept quality inspection certificates issued by foreign countries or international agencies, provided these entities are established partners of Vietnam, belong to an economic cooperation region that includes Vietnam, or have signed an international convention Updates on this regulation will be provided in a separate report.
For unprocessed food originated from animal, plants and marine
Imports of unprocessed food originated from animal, plants and marine must be inspected for phyto-sanitary standards by competent quarantine agencies under Ministry of Agriculture and
Rural Development (MARD) Phyto-sanitary Certificates (PC) are requested for Customs clearance
For meat products, Department of Animal Health is the SCA to issue PC
For vegetable and fruits, Plant Protection Department is the SCA to issue PC.
For marine, National Fishery & Vet Quality Assurance ??? (NAFIQAVET) is the SCA to issue the
City and Provincial Government agencies play a crucial role in ensuring the quality and safety of food products at the wholesale and retail distribution levels Key organizations involved in this monitoring include the Department of Health and local health centers, market control forces under the Department of Trade, and law enforcement agencies.
Sample and mail order shipment policy
The Circular No 06 issued by the General Department of Post and Telecommunications, in collaboration with the General Department of Customs on December 11, 1998, outlines the customs procedures for packages, parcels, and import/export goods sent via mail or express service This regulation aims to streamline the customs process for postal shipments, ensuring compliance with national and international trade laws.
The latest regulation replaces the 1995 directive from the two General Departments, establishing that all product samples sent via express mail or parcel post must adhere to import regulations Specifically, these samples must not be included in Vietnam's annual "List of goods forbidden from import/exportation," nor in the receiving country's "List of goods forbidden from importation." Additionally, they must comply with all international conventions on sending prohibitions that Vietnam has ratified.
Also within Point 2/Part I of the Circular, product sample importers are forced to carry out the following procedures:
- Customs procedures; test and supervision from customs offices;
- Fully perform all the valid regulations of other authorised bodies under law.
In the event of any disputes regarding this matter, Part IV of the Circular serves as a reference point This section specifies that product samples lacking receivers will be returned to the exporting country, with all related procedures clearly outlined in Inter-ministerial Circular No 227 issued by the Ministry of Finance and the General Department of Post and Telecommunication on the 31st.
OTHER SPECIFIC STANDARDS
The Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) oversees the quality and standards of goods, including food, while the Ministry of Health (MOH) is responsible for ensuring food safety and hygiene in Vietnam This division of responsibilities has sometimes led to overlapping regulations and confusion regarding food standards.
The testing norms for imported food products in Vietnam are governed by the Vietnamese standard system (TCVN), established by the Ministry of Science and Technology, alongside hygiene and safety standards set by the Ministry of Health Despite the complexity and non-scientific nature of these standards posing potential trade risks, food products that do not meet scientific criteria continue to enter the Vietnamese market with relative ease A notable example is the Vietnamese standard of zero tolerance for salmonella in chicken meat Additionally, considerations regarding consumer packaging and municipal waste disposal, as well as weights and measures, have been addressed in previous sections of this report.
There is no specific regulation on weights and measures of imported food products However, the metric system is regarded the main measurement in Vietnamese practice. iii) Vitamin-Enrichment requirements
Ref: Decision No.6289/2003/QD-BTY by Ministery of Health on “supplement of micro nutritional elements to food/food products” dated December 9, 2003
Micro nutritional elements added to food products must undergo inspection by authorized agencies to ensure quality and safety These supplements should not alter the color, smell, physical condition, or processing characteristics of the food, nor should they affect its shelf life Additionally, the label of any supplemented food product must clearly state that it contains micro nutritional elements.
Appendixes 1-6 are on specific regulations on such kind of food
Appendix 1 Regulation on supplement mirco nutritional elements to children nursing food
(applied for food made from grain: rice, wheat, bean, soybean, milk powder for children more than 6 months)
Supplemental of iron in fish source
Form of iron used: NaFeEDTA
- minimu: 30 mg iron/100ml fish source
- Maximum: 50 mg iron/100ml fish source
Scientific name: Sodium Iron (III) Ethylene DaminteTraAcetate, trihydrate.
Compostion of EDTA 65,5 - 70,5% pH of liquid of 1 % 3,5 - 5,5
Percentage of dis-solve in water Max 0,1%
Arsen (As) Maximum 1mg/kg
Ch× (Pb) Max 1mg/kg
Regulation on supplemental of micro ingredient elements in wheat flour
Appendix 4 Regulation on supplement of vitamin A in vegetable oil
Form of vitamin A used: Vitamin A palmitate
− Vegetable oil supplemented with vitamin A must be stored in color boxes and avoid direct sunlight.
− Quantity of vitamin A can maintain of 50% after 6-9 months.
Appendix 5 Regulation on supplemental of vitamin A in sugar form of vitamin A used: Vitamin A palmitate
− Sugar supplemented with vitamin A must be stored in sealed boxes and to avoid direct sunglight.
- Quantity of vitamin A can maintain of 50% after 6-9 months
Regulation on supplement of vitamin, mineral elements in children’s nutrition food and wheat flour
Vitamin form of vitamin Purity degree
USP, BP, Ph.Eur, FCCUSP, BP, Ph.Eur, FCC
USP, BP, Ph.Eur, FCC FAO/WHO, FCC
USP, BP, Ph.Eur, FCC USP, FCC
USP, BP, Ph.Eur, FAO/WHO, FCC USP, FAO/WHO, FCC
4 Vitamin B1 Thiamin clorua hydroclorua Thiamin mononitrat
USP, BP, Ph.Eur, FCC USP, FCC
USP, BP, Ph.Eur, FAO/WHO, FCC
6 Folic Axit folic USP, BP
(Ca) Canxi carbonat FCC, FAO/WHO
Canxi citrat FCC, FAO/WHO Canxi lactat FCC, FAO/WHO Canxi phosphat, tribasic FCC, FAO/WHO
10 Iron (Fe) Ferrous fumat FCC
Ferrous gluconat FCC, FAO/WHO
11 Source zin (Zn) Zin axetat MI zin oxit MI zin sulfat FFC
Principles for the Use of Food Additives, Codex Alimentarius, Volume 1
Vitamin-enrichment requirements vary from each kind of food products In general, vitamin proportion are defined so as to assure the nutrition of each food products
The Recommended Nutrient Intakes RNI 2002 has detailed recommended intake levels of varous kinds of vitamines /day by age groups Some highlighted points are as follows:
Vitamine C (mg/day): 25, 45, 55 for children below one year-old, adults and pregnant women, respectively.
Vitamine B6 (mg/day): 0.1, 1.3-1.7, 1.9 for children below one year-old, adults and pregnant women, respectively. iv) Novel Foods (Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs))
Vietnam permits the import of genetically modified (GM) foods, but requires that "GM" be clearly labeled on these products when sold in the country However, the enforcement of this labeling requirement has not yet been implemented due to the absence of guidelines from relevant authorities For further information, refer to the latest biotech report VM 7048.
Circular 08/2004/TT-BYT, issued by the Ministry of Health on August 23, 2004, provides guidelines for the state management of functional foods A food product is classified as a functional food if it has been modified and enriched with nutritional components such as vitamins, minerals, and other bioactive ingredients, while meeting specific regulatory conditions.
- The manufacturer of the food has announced it as functioning food.
- The competent authority agency of the country of origin has approved for circulation within the country’s teritories.
Food products enriched with micronutrients should clearly indicate their total daily intake on the label At least one vitamin and one mineral must contain levels that are three times higher than the Recommended Nutrient Intake (RNI) established in 2002 This is particularly relevant for marine products, which are often rich sources of essential nutrients.
As mentioned in the entry-point testing, the Nafiqavet is responsible for sanitary standards of imported unprocessed marine products vii) Beverages Products:
Vietnamese standard - TCVN 7041 is the reference. viii) Wine, Beer and Other Alcoholic Beverages
For wine, Vietnamese standard - TCVN 7045 is the reference.
For white alcoholic drinks (vodka), TCVN 7043.
For beer, TCVN 7042. ix) Organic Foods and Health Foods x) Product Samples and Mail Order Shipments
The Government of Vietnam has recently issued several important Ordinances concerning agriculture, including the Ordinance on Plant Varieties (VM7012), the Ordinance on Animal Breeds (VM4032), and the Ordinance on Veterinary Medicine (VM4051).