Vietnam: Guidelines for taking and testing samples in harvests of bivalve mollusk

Specifically, according to Article 12 of Circular No. 33/2015/TT-BNNPTNT of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam, guidelines for taking and testing samples for monitoring food hygiene and safety in harvests of bivalve mollusk are as follows:

- Based on the approved sampling plan or at the request of Inspection Agencies in case of need, Controlling Agencies shall organize taking and sending samples to Testing Facilities within 48 hours since the time of sampling, and at the same time sending sample information notes (as prescribed in Appendix VI enclosed herewith) to Inspection Agencies.

- Frequency of sampling as prescribed in Appendix I enclosed herewith.

- Subjects to be sampled:

+ Sample of water for testing poisonous algae (qualitative and quantitative); sample of bivalve mollusks for testing criteria of microbiology, biological toxins and pollutants (if any);

+ In case harvested areas have many species of bivalve mollusks, take all their samples;

- Quantity of bivalve mollusks must satisfy test requirements of Testing Facilities and provisions set out in Point c, Clause 6 of this Article.

- Requirements for transport to Testing Facilities as prescribed in Appendix VII enclosed herewith.

- Sample testing:

+ Testing Facilities shall conduct the test and provide results to Inspection Agencies within three working days since receipt of sample for criteria of toxic algae, microbiology and biological toxins and no more than four working days since receipt of sample for other criteria in Monitoring Program.

+ Test criteria as prescribed in Appendix 1 enclosed herewith or based on specified test criteria of individual samples (if any);

+ Requirements for a test sample: A test sample of bivalve mollusk must satisfy requirements of the test method but include at least ten individuals and ensure that minimum quantity of sample is 50g including meat and intra-cellular fluid.

View more details at Circular No. 33/2015/TT-BNNPTNT of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam, effective from December 10, 2015.

Le Hai

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