For the first time, Vietnam has implemented a dedicated food safety control process for a specific fruit. The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has officially issued Decision No. 3015 outlining the “Food safety control procedure for fresh durian intended for export.”

This newly established protocol systematizes food safety (FS) requirements across the entire production chain of fresh durian, from cultivation, harvesting, transportation, and storage, to packaging and export.

It also introduces strict procedures for registration, appraisal, and certification of food safety for shipments of fresh durian exported for consumption.

The regulation applies to all organizations and individuals involved in the production and export chain of fresh durian intended for export, including traders who do not engage in processing or packaging but act as exporters of record.

Under this policy, competent authorities are responsible for managing FS compliance at facilities engaged in the production and export of fresh durian. These authorities will appraise and certify food safety standards for each shipment. Accredited laboratories will analyze and test samples to support FS certification for exports.

According to the decision, provincial-level authorities appointed by the chairperson of the provincial People's Committee will carry out FS assessments, inspections, and monitoring. They will also verify adherence to safety commitments at cultivation sites, packing facilities, and throughout transportation and storage stages.

These same authorities will conduct state-level food safety certification for plant-based export goods as required by Vietnamese law and in accordance with the standards of importing countries when applicable.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has also issued specific requirements for exported fresh durian. Products must be grown and harvested from cultivation areas that are inspected, monitored, coded, and listed by the competent authority - and recognized by importing countries where required.

Durian must be preserved and transported according to regulations, sorted, packaged, and labeled at certified packing facilities that meet import market standards and are listed when applicable.

Exported fresh durian must also comply with heavy metal residue limits under National Technical Regulation QCVN 8-2:2011/BYT, as well as pesticide residue standards outlined in Circular No. 50 of the Ministry of Health. In addition, the product must meet the food safety indicators and maximum residue levels required by each destination market.

Tam An