HCMC – Consumers in Vietnam will soon have greater transparency regarding the food they purchase, as new regulation mandates a comprehensive digital footprint for every product on the shelf.
By simply scanning a QR code, shoppers can access verified data about a product’s origin, processing stages and distribution history. This move is part of a strategic effort by the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) to digitize market transparency and provide a regulatory compliance framework for both domestic consumers and export goods.
Under Circular No. 11/2026/TT-BCT issued by the MoIT, food traceability must now follow a strict “one step forward, one step back” protocol. This requires every business in the supply chain to identify its immediate supplier of raw materials (one step back) and its immediate recipient of finished products (one step forward).
All information across the production and distribution phases must be encoded and stored in a digital database. These records, which include details on raw materials, production logs, quality testing, and logistics, must be ready for immediate extraction during food safety audits or recall events.
Notably, the circular requires businesses to link their internal databases with the National Food Traceability System managed by the MoIT to ensure synchronized state oversight.
The regulation also establishes a rigorous framework for emergency situations. Food establishments are mandated to initiate traceability procedures immediately if they detect safety violations or upon receiving a government directive.
Following any traceability exercise, businesses must submit a comprehensive report detailing the cause of the incident, the quantity of products recovered, and the corrective actions implemented. To protect the public, the MoIT will issue warnings about non-compliant products on its official Traceability Information Portal, ensuring that both businesses and consumers are promptly informed of potential risks.
