The Japanese Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Evaluation Centre (JPMDEC) has commended the strict management and hygiene control of Vietnamese seafood exported to Japan.

The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers said on Wed (Apr 14) that the amount of chemical and antibiotics residues in Vietnamese seafood shipped to Japan has fallen significantly from 4.6% in 2007 to 0.39% last year.

In recent times, Japan has decided to check 30% of Vietnamese Tra fish shipments to the country for Triflutalin. If any of the next 30 shipments fail the inspection, all will be checked in the future.

The Vietnam National Agro-Forestry-Fisheries Quality Assurance Department (NAFIQAD) is keen to liaise with the JPMDEC to evaluate and approve the quality control results from NAFIQAD to avoid double check of Vietnamese seafood.

Vietnamese seafood exports to Japan reached almost US$760 million last year, according to the Vietnam General Department of Customs.