On 2nd February 2018, Vietnam Food Administration VFA published Decree 15/2018/ND-CP Guidance on the Implementation of a Few Articles of the Food Safety Law, detailing many changes to the way the country manages food safety. Some features of the Decree include:
-Foods for children under 36 months, health food and dietary supplements, FSMP and foods for special dietary uses must be registered with Department of Food Safety of Ministry of Health, as do imported food additives not approved for production in Vietnam. All other products have to be registered at local level.
-Companies who manufacture and trade food additives, processing aids, food packaging and food contact materials must provide a safety self-assessment for them.
-The number of batches of imported products to be tested is reduced, especially for already registered and/or GMP and HACCP certified companies. When importing, the customs office will only check the company records, except in cases of special warning.
-New Labeling Requirements for all food and in particular for health foods, FSMP and food for special medical purposes as well as new rules for advertisement, claims and GMO foods.
-Gradual shift to an online version of food safety assurance services.
The Decree entered into force on the date of publication, abolishing Decree 38/2012/ND-CP and Article II of 13/2014/TTLT-BYT-BNNPTNT-BCT.
To know more about food safety regulations of Vietnam, check our Foodpedia article on the subject.