May 4, 2007

Japan finds banned antibiotics in Vietnam seafood

Japan have again discovered residues of banned antibiotics in seafood shipments by five Vietnamese exporters, reports the Vietnamese seafood association on Wednesday (May 2).

After Japan announced 100 percent checks on seafood imports from Vietnam months ago, the five latest Vietnamese exporters found to be exporting contaminated products were the Coastal Fisheries Development Corp, Vietnam Northern Viking Ltd, Khanh Hoa Seafood Co, Hai Viet Corporation, and Viet Thang Private Ltd.

The banned antibiotic chloramphenicol was found on recent shipments of shrimp, cuttlefish, and sea food rolls.

Chloramphenicol has been linked with anemia, AOZ and Semicarbazide.

The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Processors has urged exporters to tighten checks on its produce before it ships out to overseas markets.