Do Foods for Special Dietary Use Require Labeling?
1. Are foods for special diets required to be labeled?
Pursuant to Article 24, Decree 15/2018/ND-CP on mandatory labeling content, as follows:
- Organizations and individuals producing and trading products in Vietnam, in addition to complying with legal regulations on goods labeling, must also comply with the following regulations:
a) Medical nutritional food must be labeled with the phrases: "Medical nutritional food" and "To be used for patients under the supervision of medical staff";
b) Foods for special diets must be labeled with the phrase: "Nutritional product (for specific subject)" on the main face of the label to distinguish it from ordinary food.
- For imported products, the name of the responsible organization or individual must be labeled with: the name and address of the manufacturing organization or individual, and the name and address of the organization or individual that self-declares or registers the product declaration.
Thus, to trade foods for special diets, you and your partner must ensure compliance with the mandatory labeling content regulations mentioned above.
2. In what cases is state inspection on imported food safety exempted?
According to Article 13, Decree 15/2018/ND-CP on cases where state inspection on imported food safety is exempted (except for cases with food safety warnings):
Products that have been granted the Certificate of Product Registration Acceptance.
Products carried by individuals upon immigration, sent before or after the trip of the individual for personal use or for the purpose of the trip (abolished at Point d, Clause 2, Article 41, Decree 85/2019/ND-CP); gifts within the duty-free import threshold as prescribed by law on taxes.
Products imported for personal use by individuals entitled to diplomatic privileges and immunities.
Products in transit, transshipment, temporary import for re-export, sent to bonded warehouses.
Products for testing or research in quantities suitable for the purpose of testing or research as confirmed by the organization or individual.
Products used for trade fairs and exhibitions.
Products and raw materials imported solely for producing, processing exported goods or for internal production use by organizations or individuals that are not sold domestically.
Products temporarily imported for sale at duty-free shops.
Goods imported to meet urgent requirements as directed by the Government of Vietnam, the Prime Minister of the Government of Vietnam.
Based on the above regulations, foods falling under the mentioned cases are exempted from state inspection on imported food safety (except for cases with food safety warnings).
Sincerely!
