Accordingly, the technical requirements for testing some banned chemicals and antibiotics in aquatic foods have regulations on minimum analytical performance (MRPL) under the management of the Ministry of Agriculture. and Rural Development. In the case of exported aquatic food, it will comply with the regulations of the importing country and it is not within the scope of regulation of this circular.
There are three (3) groups of objects to apply this circular. Firstly, food testing establishments for state management designated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development are capable of testing a number of banned chemical and resistance criteria in aquatic food according to the provisions of Circular No. 20/2013/TTLT-BYT-BCT-BNNPTNT dated on August 1st, 2013 which defines the conditions and procedures for of food testing establishments for state management. Secondly, state management agencies, organizations/individuals involved in aquatic food testing activities and state management agencies on aquatic food safety. Third, organizations/individuals that produce and trade in aquatic food.
Prohibited chemicals and antibiotics in aquatic food
MRPL level for 03 banned chemicals and antibiotics in aquatic food is specified in the appendix enclosed herewith circular. Accordingly, there are 03 types of banned chemicals and antibiotics in aquatic food: (1) Chloramphenicol; (2) Nitrofuran metabolites (including: Nitrofurazon, Nitrofurantoin, Furazolidone, Furaltadon); (3) Total Malachite Green, Leuco-Malachite Green. The CCβ value for each banned chemical or antibiotic criterion in the aquatic food must be less than or equal to (≤) the corresponding MRPL value.
Testing establishments must be assessed and designated by a competent state agency as a testing facility for some banned chemicals and antibiotics in aquatic foods that have MRPL regulations for state management about food safety of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development according to the provisions of this circular.
Testing establishments notify the testing results in accordance with the testing report form specified in Appendix 3 of the Circular No. 20/2013 / TTLT-BYT-BCT-BNNPTNT dated on August 1st, 2013 and solutions to handle correspondence. In case the result of testing banned chemicals or antibiotics of the consignment is greater than or equal to (≥) MRPL value: The testing establishment announces the result "exceeds the MRPL threshold". Then, organizations/individuals producing and trading in consignments must carry out food traceability and recall and handle unsafe consignments as prescribed in Articles 54 and 55 of the Law on food safety.
Responsibilities of the parties involved in aquatic food
Testing establishments: Ensuring the technical requirements of testing; Ensuring the reliability and accuracy of the test results and notify the test results according to regulations. Compliance with periodic and irregular reporting and inspection and supervision of testing activities of state management agencies on assessment and designation of food testing establishments to serve state management.
Producing and trading organizations in aquatic food: Implement measures for aquatic food according to regulations; Retain full records of the cases where testing results are notified by testing establishments, handling measures for aquatic food and report to the State management agency on food safety when requested. The time for filing records is in line with the shelf life of each product specified in the National Technical Regulation QCVN 02 - 02: 2009 / BNNPTNT.
State management agencies on assessment and designation of testing establishments: Provide guidance and professional training for testing establishments; Update regulations on MRPL levels for banned chemicals in aquatic food; Assess and design the testing establishments which test prohibited chemicals and antibiotics in aquatic food following MRPL regulated.
Food safety state management: Verify the implementation of organizations, individuals producing and trading in aquatic food specified in Article 6 of this Circular during the inspection, examination and appraisal the food safety assurance conditions according to current regulations.
The Circular 28/2019 / TT-BNNPTNT takes effect from February 13, 2020.
Details this Circular can be seen at https://tongcucthuysan.gov.vn
Le Mai (theo tongcucthuysan.gov.vn)