January 11, 2007

Vietnam cracks down on chemicals in seafood

Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has ordered a strict regulation of the use of banned chemicals and antibiotics in the production and processing of seafood for export.

Government Decision No 05/TTg-NN has mandated the Ministry of Fisheries and its agencies as well as food quality and safety administrators to closely inspect seafood products and exports of enterprises that have been previously warned about the use of banned chemicals and antibiotics in their products.

They must also ensure the enforcement of regulations on seafood safety and hygiene at fishing ports, warehouses, places of preserving and processing export seafood, and aquaculture farms to ensure quality and food safety in all stages of the process from catching and rearing seafood to processing and exporting it.

The decision also requires that the ministry increase efforts to provide information to farmers and fishermen on prohibited chemicals and antibiotics and guide them on safer alternatives.