July 3, 2006

Japan tightens inspection on Vietnamese cuttlefish

Japan said it would tighten inspections of Vietnamese cuttlefish last week.

The cuttlefish would be scrutinised for antibiotics such as chloramphenicol, aflatoxin, and AOZ.

Europe and other developed countries have a zero-tolerance policy for these chemicals in food.

In response, Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) has called on its members to pay closer attention to food inspections during manufacturing and processing.

Vietnam's cuttlefish exports reached US$28.6 million in the first five months of this year. Of this figure, 3,850 tonnes were of frozen cuttlefish and 500 tonnes were dried cuttlefish.

Japan has also tightened restrictions on farmed eel earlier.