Guiding the traceability and recall of unsafe agricultural and forest food in Vietnam

According to Circular No. 74/2011/TT-BNNPTNT of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam, traceability, recall and handling of unsafe agricultural and forest food are prescribed as follows:

1. When detecting an unsafe agricultural or forest food, an establishment shall trace down this product under Section 3 of the Appendix to this Circular.

2. In case an inspection agency detects or is warned by an importing country or by another information source of an unsafe food, it shall, under the assignment provided in Clause 2, Article 5 of this Circular, process such information and send a notice of request for traceability, recall and handling of the unsafe food to the concerned establishment. A notice contains the following information:

- Name of the establishment responsible for traceability, recall and handling of the product;

- Information to identify the lot subject to traceability (category; lot identification code; weight; manufacture date; name of producer or trader, if any);

- Reason for traceability, recall and handling of the product (if any);

- Scope and deadline for traceability, recall and handling of the product (if any);

- Agency responsible for inspecting the traceability, recall and handling of the unsafe food.

3. After receiving a notice from an inspection agency, an establishment shall trace, recall and handle products under Sections 3 and 4.2 of the Appendix to this Circular.

4. Inspection agencies as assigned under Clause 2, Article 5 of this Circular shall inspect the traceability, recall and handling of unsafe products and assist establishments when necessary.

View details at Circular No. 74/2011/TT-BNNPTNT of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam, effective from December 15, 2011.

Thuy Tram

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