The Ministry of Industry and Trade will apply strict regulations on the quality of imported foods from December 20.
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| Demand for foods increases as Tet nears |
Beverages, vegetable oil, starch and dairy products as well as their packaging will be subject to inspection. Products which fail to meet standards, as well as those from areas with polluted water sources or infectious diseases will be tested for their safety.
Other products will go through the same process until they are proven their quality during at least two consecutive inspections, or have been given approval from the Ministry of Industry and Trade. After that, they will be checked for labels and origins.
If the products are not approved, traders will be within their rights to file complaints and ask for another inspection.
As the year's end approaches and people start shopping for Tet Holiday, the demand for food increases. It is also typically a time for high activity for smugglers and unethical traders to make profits with poor quality products.
In years past, food hygiene and safety have become one of the most urgent problems in Vietnam.
Imported dairy products such as Abbott, Dumex, Similac, GainPlus EyeQ, which account for 70% of market share, are under suspicion of being contaminated. This problem has raised the most public concern because it directly affects the health of mothers and children.