July 19, 2012

South Korea bans dried fish export from various Vietnamese firms

The Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA) has banned 15 Vietnamese processing companies from exporting dried fish to South Korea, the Viet Nam newspaper reported Wednesday (July 18).

The ban was taken after an annual inspection of Vietnamese seasoned fish fillet processing factories by the KFDA in February-March. The South Korea's agency found that these Vietnamese firms failed to meet food safety requirements in their production of dried fish products.

The ban became effective from July 9 this year and will be removed when Vietnamese firms improve their food safety to meet South Korea's requirements.

Eight companies out of 11 other processors which are allowed to ship their dried fish product to South Korea are asked by the KFDA to improve hygiene conditions in their facilities.

Vietnam is the third largest exporter of dried fish to South Korea, reaching US$5.95 million in value in 2011.