August 25, 2006

Vietnam to inspect its seafood companies after returned shipment

Vietnam's Trade Ministry issued a stern warning to its seafood exporters to adhere closely to regulations on food safety after batches of seafood were returned from Japan last week.

Japan is a major customer of Vietnamese seafood exports, accounting for a quarter of the country's export revenue, second only to the US.

Last month, bowel virus and Chloramphenicol residue were detected in seafood products from three Vietnamese seafood companies.

The Fisheries Ministry has asked agencies and seafood exporters and processors to be more vigilant with regards to seafood quality and food safety.

Inspections would also be held at processing and exporting companies by officials from local fisheries and the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).

Seafood companies from provinces in central Vietnam to the Mekong Delta region, which contribute most of the seafood exported, would be inspected.

Vietnamese seafood exports are expected to reach US$2.8 billion this year, up 2.2 percent from last year.