January 4, 2007

Safety and hygiene for Vietnamese seafood exports intensified

The Vietnam Ministry of Fisheries will impose a compulsory period for seafood producers to apply food safety and hygiene regulations.

Only businesses that abide by the standards set by the ministry in line with the obligatory period will be allowed to process seafood for exports.

The ministry will also regulate seafood manufacturing process and monitor export establishments as well as fishing ports to prevent contamination of chemicals and antibiotics.in raw and semi-processed materials.

The ministry has also urged seafood producers to tighten control over usage of medicines in aquaculture, particularly in shrimp nursing, and provide fishermen with basic information about banned substances and chemicals.