Vietnam's government is implementing new regulations to tighten food safety responsibility by requiring production facilities to directly register their products. This move aims to prevent low-quality goods from flooding the market and disappearing, leaving consumers at risk. The new information was emphasized by Chu Quoc Thinh, acting director of the Food Safety Department under the Ministry of Health, at a conference held on 2/2 in Hanoi, which disseminated Decree 46 detailing the implementation of the Food Safety Law.

Under the new regulation, production facilities must be the entities registering product declarations, applicable quality standards, and compliance. These entities will bear full legal responsibility before the law for the validity of their dossiers, and the quality and safety of goods once they are in circulation.

Fake milk product seized by police. Photo: Patient provided.

Thinh stated that this regulation aims to stop the widespread practice of "proxy registration." Previously, many commercial enterprises, without directly producing goods, registered products. They often outsourced production, heavily advertised, and even exaggerated product benefits. When violations emerged or goods sold out, these entities often ceased operations or changed legal entities, leaving consumers at risk and hindering regulators.

This requirement ensures manufacturers, who possess intimate knowledge of processes, ingredients, and quality control, bear direct responsibility. It creates strong legal ties, minimizing accountability gaps during incidents, Thinh explained.

Beyond assigning clear responsibility, the regulation also marks a significant shift from "self-declaration" to strict control of standards from the initial input stage. Test certificates now mandate inclusion of both safety and quality indicators, a departure from the previous sole focus on safety.

For sensitive products, including health supplements, medical nutrition, special dietary foods, and infant nutrition, the scope of control for product declaration dossiers is expanded. Authorities will thoroughly assess ingredients, production processes, packaging materials, and product uses. Within 90 days of receiving complete dossiers, the regulatory agency will approve or issue a written refusal with specific amendment requests.

At the same conference, Deputy Minister of Health Do Xuan Tuyen acknowledged initial confusion during the new regulations' implementation. The Ministry of Health recorded numerous issues from businesses and localities, primarily regarding state inspection of imported foods: agricultural products, seafood, fresh foods, and some confectionery.

Thinh also confirmed localized congestion at some border gates for imported agricultural products in Decree 46's early days, as parties had not yet adapted. To resolve this, authorities guided a flexible transition from normal to reduced inspection for eligible shipments, while enhancing coordination between customs and specialized inspection units.

Le Nga