| MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT ------- No. 13/2011/TT-BNNPTNT | SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIET NAM Independence - Freedom – Happiness --------- Hanoi, March 16, 2011 |
CIRCULAR
GUIDING ON THE FOOD SAFETY CONTROL FOR IMPORTED FOODSTUFFS OF PLANT ORIGIN
Pursuant to the Decree No. 01/2008/ND-CP of January 3, 2008 defining the functions, tasks, powers and organizational structure of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development; Decree No. 75/2009/ND-CP of September 10, 2009 amending Article 3 of the Decree No. 01/2008/ND-CP of January 3, 2008 defining the functions, tasks, powers and organizational structure of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development;
Pursuant to the Law on Food Safety No. 55/2010/QH12 approved by the National Assembly of Vietnam on June 17, 2010.
Pursuant to the Decree No. 79/2008/ND-CP of July 18, 2008 defining system of management, inspection and test of food hygiene and safety;
Hereafter is the guide by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to food safety control for imported foodstuffs of plant origin.
Pursuant to the Law on Food Safety No. 55/2010/QH12 approved by the National Assembly of Vietnam on June 17, 2010.
Pursuant to the Decree No. 79/2008/ND-CP of July 18, 2008 defining system of management, inspection and test of food hygiene and safety;
Hereafter is the guide by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to food safety control for imported foodstuffs of plant origin.
Chapter I
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Article 1. Scope of application
1. This Circular guides food safety control procedures imported foodstuffs of plant origin (hereafter referred to as foodstuffs) under the management of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development; responsibilities and jurisdictions of parties concerned.
2. The list of foodstuffs covered by this Circular shall be specified in Appendix 1.
3. This Circular shall not regulate the plant quarantine operations.
Article 2. Objects of application
This Circular applies to native and foreign individuals and organizations operating business of imported foodstuffs under the management of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Article 3. Imported foodstuffs not subject to food safety inspection
1. Foodstuffs carried along for personal consumption within tax exemption
2. Foodstuffs in diplomatic bags, consular bags;
3. Foodstuffs in transit, transshipment;
4. Foodstuffs stored in bonded warehouses;
5. Foodstuffs as samples for experiment and research.
Article 4. Definition
For the purpose of this Circular, the following definitions shall apply:
1. Imported consignment means an amount of foodstuffs registered for one official inspection.
2. Inspected consignment means an amount of the same-type foodstuffs processed by the same establishment and registered for one official inspection.
3. Serious violation of food safety regulations means the foodstuffs are detected with risk to consumers’ health.
4. Sampling frequency means the number of test samples made for the inspected consignments during importation.
Article 5. Requirements for imported foodstuffs
1. Imported foodstuffs must meet the following requirements:
a) Being produced by countries recognized by Vietnamese Competent Authorities to meet Vietnamese food safety requirements;
b) Being packed or stored in proper means; labeled, including: name of foodstuffs, name and address of production establishment, approval number (if any) and other information (in Vietnamese or with sub-label in Vietnamese) in compliance with relevant regulations in force;
c) Being inspected and certified as described in Chapter III of the Circular.
