This would serve as a technical barrier to limit imports of meats and animal viscera, said Bui Quang Anh, the head of MARD’s Animal Health Department.

In HCM City, Hanoi and Hai Phong, animal viscera and meats are being imported in massive quantities, and there are risks involved with this practice. One example is more than 8 tonnes of substandard chicken wings belonging to Truc Den Co Ltd in district 8 were seized by the HCM City Department of Animal Health.

The confiscated goods were among 13.5 tonnes of chicken wings belonging to the company that were reportedly contaminated with coliform bacteria causing acute diarrhea, according to health inspectors.
The company had already sold 5 tonnes of chicken wings from the contaminated batch.

However, because there are no specific regulations on which or how many chemicals could be used on imported meats and animal viscera, the relevant authorities lacked legal documents to punish violators.
According to the new standards, processing methods, chemical quantities, hygiene standards and inspection procedures will all be regulated.

Specific administrative punishments for violators will be regulated in the draft law of Animal Health, which will be submitted to the Government by the end of this year.