What are procedures for voluntary unsafe food recall in Vietnam?
What are procedures for voluntary unsafe food recall in Vietnam? Thank you!
Procedures for voluntary unsafe food recall in Vietnam
Pursuant to Article 10 of the Circular 17/2021/TT-BNNPTNT (takes effect from 02/02/2022) stipulating procedures for voluntary unsafe food recall in Vietnam as follows:
- Within 24 hours from the moment of discovery or receipt of unsafe food complaints and it is determined that a recall is necessary, the facility shall:
+ Notify by phone, email or other appropriate methods, then officially notify the entire production and trading system in writing (production facilities, distribution facilities, agents, stores) to stop the production and trading of food subject to recall and carry out the food recall;
+ Send written notifications to the mass communication agencies of the province or city and related agencies, organizations according to regulations of the law on consumer protection. If the recall is conducted in at least two provinces and/or cities, notify central mass communication agencies in writing in order to inform consumers about the recalled food;
+ Notify the food recall in writing to the food safety authority;
+ Provide the following information in the written notification of the owner of the facility: name, production facility address; food name; packaging specifications, batch number, production date, and expiry date; quantity, food recall cause; a list of gathering, receiving places of recalled food; recall time.
- Within 3 days from the date of recall completion, the owner of the facility shall make and send a report on the food recall result to the food safety authority according to the form prescribed in Appendix I promulgated with this Circular and the method for handling of recalled food.
Manners of unsafe food recall in Vietnam
Pursuant to Article 9 of the Circular 17/2021/TT-BNNPTNT (takes effect from 02/02/2022) stipulating manners of unsafe food recall in Vietnam as follows:
A facility shall recall unsafe food prescribed in Clause 1 Article 55 of the Law on Food Safety in one of the following manners:
- A voluntary recall means a food recall self-executed by a facility when any abnormal thing is discovered or when it receives complaints from other organizations or individuals about unsafe food and it is not any of the cases prescribed in Clause 2 of this Article.
- A compulsory recall means an unsafe food recall conducted according to a recall decision by a competent authority prescribed in Articles 15, 16, 17 of this Circular or a recall in accordance with the law on administrative penalties for violations regulations on food safety.
Procedures for compulsory unsafe food recall in Vietnam
Pursuant to Article 11 of the Circular 17/2021/TT-BNNPTNT (takes effect from 02/02/2022) stipulating procedures for compulsory unsafe food recall in Vietnam as follows:
- Within a maximum time of 24 hours from the moment of determination of food subject to recall, the competent authority prescribed in Clause 2 Article 9 of this Circular shall issue a recall decision according to the form prescribed in Appendix II promulgated with this Circular.
- Right after receiving a recall decision, the owner of the facility shall comply with regulations prescribed in Clause 1 Article 10 of this Circular.
- Within 3 working days from the date of compulsory recall completion, the owner of the facility shall make and report the food recall result to the competent authority that issued the recall decision according to the form prescribed in Appendix I promulgated with this Circular and propose methods for handling of recalled food.
- The competent authority that issues the food recall decision shall supervise its implementation and inform the food safety authority, related agencies for cooperation.
Best regards!
