Headache for Hanoi inspectors monitoring movement of frozen goods

Phi Thanh Hai, deputy head of the Vietnam capital’s Agro-Forestry-Fisheries Quality Assurance Division, said the “majority​” of buyers fail to provide a certificate of origin, making food safety check difficult.

Having monitored the supply chain of one major frozen poultry and meat supplier, officials found its meat was soon mixed up with non-name brands. The company was also unable to provide documents tracking the origin of its buffalo meat and pig cartilage, as were vendors down the chain.

A recent investigation by a local newspaper found that most frozen food stocks in the city did not meet technical standards, especially in terms of storage.

One food safety official has called on local authorities to tighten their control over how frozen produce is maintained prior to being sold to traders.

He suggested the use of official stamps to identify products and batches, along with the correct storage conditions so that dry and frozen food can be stocked separately.

According to health minister Nguyen Thi Kim Tien, some municipalities do not allocate funds for food inspection.

Addressing parliament last week, Tien proposed that the the government should allocate funds for this purpose, arguing that law enforcement has not been effective, though he faces opposition from lawmakers who believe that the legal penalties are sufficient to deter violations.

However, over the past five years, just 90 cases out of 13,000 alleged food violations have been prosecuted, according to official figures. Officials blame this poor clearance rate on difficulty in finding evidence to charge violators.

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Philippines government urged to ‘fast-track’ halal framework​

The Philippines Department of Trade and Industry has been urged by halal bodies to fast-track certification rules for Islamic food exports.

Malou Ampuan, of the Mindanao Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said lawmakers must to make up time in approving regulations governing the Halal Export Development and Promotional Act, which she called “a vital component​” in making local products more competitive in regional halal markets.

It has been a year since former President Benigno Aquino signed the act into law, though all standards must first be agreed before it can begin to be implemented.

“The DTI must finish drafting and finalising the regulations. This is important to the halal industry in the country​,” Ampuan said.

Currently, five Islamic groups are used to certify halal products in the Philippines, though these are only recognised at a national level.

“With a regulatory framework in place, the standards that will certify our halal products will officially be set​,” she said.

Under the terms of the act, the DTI secretary will head the Halal Export Development and Promotional Board, which is tasked with overseeing halal programmes.

The board will also oversee donations, grants, endowments and contributions from local and foreign sources to help promote the halal industry.

“Finish the rules and regulations now​!” Ampuan urged the DTI. “The country is establishing its links to world markets​.”