HCMC – Chinese authorities have issued a warning regarding 30 shipments of Vietnamese durians exported to their country, citing contamination with the heavy metal cadmium.
Upon receiving the warning, the Plant Protection Department in Vietnam has urged the 30 enterprises involved to comply with regulations regarding origin traceability, recall procedures, and the handling of unsafe food, reported the Vietnam News Agency.
The enterprises have been instructed to conduct thorough investigations into the causes of contamination, trace the flagged shipments, and review all records, production processes, and export procedures. A comprehensive report on traceability implementation and remedial measures is required to be submitted to the Plant Protection Department before April 1.
The Plant Protection Department has tasked the HCMC Department of Food Safety and the Departments of Agriculture and Rural Development of Tien Giang, Lang Son, Dong Nai, Dak Lak, and Hanoi with monitoring the traceability of the flagged shipments.
These departments are also responsible for assessing reports detailing the reasons behind the flagged shipments and the corrective actions taken by the companies.
In 2023, Vietnam exported around US$2.3 billion worth of durians to China, contributing to the country’s record-breaking achievement in vegetable and fruit export value of nearly US$5.6 billion.
However, China has also warned that many Vietnamese durian shipments do not meet the required standards.
