Specialized inspections on food and food additives meets obstacles due to policy

The Customs officers of the Coc Nam Customs Branch- Lang Son Customs Department inspect imported and exported goods. Photo: H.Nu

According to the General Department of Vietnam Customs, Circular 40/2016/TT-BYT issues the list of foods, food additives, food processing aids, packaging materials and utensils under HS code which are subject to the specialized management of the Ministry of Health based on Government Decree 187/2013/ND-CP stipulating in detail the implementation of the Commercial Law and not based on Government Decree 38/2012/ND-CP stipulating in detail a number of articles of the Law on food safety.

But under the provisions of Decree 38/2012/ND-CP, goods which are foods, food additives, food processing aids, packaging materials and utensils must publish the conformity announcement and food safety appropriation announcement and the State checking on food safety for imported and exported goods.

The General Department of Vietnam Customs said, Circular 40/2016/TT-BTC only stipulates the list of foods and does not regulate on the management policy and the responsibility of implementation and the procedure process, which will cause difficulties to identify the commodities under the list issued with the Circular must publish the conformity announcement and food safety appropriation announcement and the State checking on food safety as per provisions of Decree 38/2012/ND-CP. Therefore, the Ministry of Health needs to clearly explain this issue.

Specialized Inspection: MOIT slow due to “process” VCN- The specialized inspection procedures have caused much annoyance, and many difficulties for businesses, including the procedures ..

If the regulations are applied, the time of publishing the conformity announcement and food safety appropriation announcement and the State checking on food safety for imported and exported goods will be carried out before or after clearance of goods.