December 14, 2006

Japan detects chemical residues in Vietnamese seafood again

The Ministry of Trade of Vietnam has received a formal notice from the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare saying that Japan had once again discovered antibiotic residues in cuttlefish and shrimp exports from Vietnam.

The five companies identified are Hoang Cam, Hai Thuan, Quy Nhon Seafood Processing Company, Nam Mai and Minh Hieu.

Though Vietnam has promised to implement strict measures to make sure seafood exported are free of antibiotic

residues, little improvement as been seen. The Ministry of Trade has warned that continued violations would likely cause Japan to ban shrimp and cuttlefish imports from Vietnam.

The Ministry of Fisheries has asked seafood companies that export to Japan to register with Nafiqaved (the National Fisheries Quality Assurance and Veterinary Directorate (NAFIQAVED) as a measure to curb violations.

For the 11 seafood companies which were reported for exporting seafood products with antibiotic residues to Japan, local authorities would now examine all their shipments.

Nafiqaved has also announced that it will hold training courses on chemical control for shrimp hatchery ponds and reassert control over all phases of seafood production, from farming to preserving and processing.