A chance for businesses to self-reflect
Vietnam is set to welcome a delegation to inspect compliance with food safety standards for seafood exports to the EU.
A team from the European Union’s Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety (DG-SANTE) will visit Vietnam to evaluate the country’s adherence to food safety standards for seafood exports to the EU from September 24 to October 17. The goal is to ensure that Vietnamese seafood not only meets the EU’s stringent requirements but also improves its quality and reputation in global markets.
The DG-SANTE team will conduct a thorough inspection of all stages related to food safety in aquaculture, including the approval process for feed, veterinary drugs, and aquaculture products, as well as the seafood processing procedures in factories. This involves assessing farming facilities, processing methods, packaging, and storage before the products are shipped for export.
This inspection aims to assess Vietnam’s current compliance with safety standards while identifying any potential shortcomings in the production and export processes. Maintaining and expanding the EU market, one of Vietnam’s largest seafood export destinations, is critical.
Ho Trong Phuong, Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Quang Ngai, emphasized that to boost the value of seafood exports, the agricultural sector has collaborated with local authorities to establish and expand disease-free aquaculture models. These initiatives are intended to ensure raw materials meet strict food safety standards, especially regarding residues of antibiotics and chemicals.
A successful example is the disease-free shrimp farming model in Dong Min, Binh Duong Commune, Binh Son District. Initiated in 2020, this model now covers nearly 20 hectares and involves 43 households. The farmers here practice integrated farming of shrimp, crabs, and fish to reduce disease outbreaks and environmental pollution. Biological products are used for pond sanitation, and the use of feed and veterinary drugs is carefully managed with proper withdrawal periods before harvest to ensure the shrimp’s quality.
Alongside developing disease-free aquaculture models, Quang Ngai’s agricultural sector has intensified inspections and monitoring to ensure compliance with food safety regulations. From late 2020 to 2023, authorities have classified and evaluated 326 seafood production and trading establishments and conducted 10 specialized inspections at 103 businesses. Of the 184 samples tested, 15 failed to meet food safety standards due to excessive levels of heavy metals and microorganisms.
To strengthen the traceability of seafood raw materials, the province’s agricultural sector has also increased inspections of the labeling and ingredients of veterinary drugs and biological products for aquaculture at retail stores. These measures aim to detect and prevent violations, particularly the use of unlabeled, non-certified products or those not on the approved list.
VFM
