06/13/2024 12:41

Illustration photo.

(PLVN) - Vietnamese instant noodles have been officially removed from food safety control in the European Union (EU) but are still subject to 20% frequency inspection at border gates.

The Vietnam Trade Office in Belgium and the EU (Ministry of Industry and Trade) said that on June 12, the European Commission (EC) published Regulation No. 2024/1662 signed on June 11, 2024 on reviewing the application of additional inspection measures and emergency measures to manage the import of agricultural products and food from third countries into the EU market according to Regulation 2019/1973.

Accordingly, Vietnam's instant noodles will be removed from food safety control in the EU because they meet EU regulations. This regulation will take effect from July 2, 2024.

Also according to the Vietnam Trade Office in Belgium and the EU, the EU has increased the frequency of border inspections for dragon fruit from 20% to 30%, and the shipments are accompanied by a Food Safety Certificate and analysis results of pesticide residues in the product (dragon fruit is still in Appendix II of the Regulation and the inspection frequency is increased from 20% to 30%).

Chili products are transferred from Appendix I (50% control) to Appendix II (50% control and accompanied by a Food Safety Certificate and analysis results of pesticide residues in the product).

Okra is maintained at a 50% inspection frequency and is accompanied by a Food Safety Certificate and analysis results of pesticide residues in the product.

Durian items still maintain the inspection frequency of 10%.

As for chili products originating from Vietnam, exported shipments that have left the port from Vietnam or from a third country before the effective date of this Regulation 2024/1662 will still be subject to Regulation 2024/286 dated February 6, 2024 and do not have to be accompanied by a Food Safety Certificate or analysis results of pesticide residues in the product.

New shipments exported after the above deadline to the EU will take effect from September 2, 2024.

According to Vietnam Trade in Belgium and the EU, the removal of instant noodles from food safety control in the EU is the result of the tireless efforts of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, relevant authorities and businesses in improving the quality and ensuring food safety for instant noodle products exported to the EU.

To continue stable exports to the EU as well as protect the reputation of Vietnamese exports, Vietnam Trade in Belgium and the EU recommends that agricultural and food production enterprises need to improve product quality management to meet EU requirements.

In January 2022, the EU will put Vietnamese vermicelli, glass noodles, and noodles into Annex II on food safety control.

Six months later, in July 2022, Vietnam successfully convinced the EU to remove rice vermicelli, glass noodles, and rice noodles from food safety control on the grounds that the EU's control contents exceeded the necessary needs according to SPS practices.

One year later, in June 2023, with the Ministry of Industry and Trade's efforts to control product quality very well, Vietnam successfully convinced the EU to move instant noodles from Appendix II to Appendix I with an inspection frequency of 20%.

In June 2024 (ie 1 year after moving from Appendix II to Appendix I), Vietnamese instant noodles were removed from food safety control.