2.3.4 Maximum Residue Levels
The Ministry of Health defines food additives as substances which are not considered food or
the main ingredients of food, and which have little nutritional value, and are added in food
in limited amounts, and are harmless. Food additives are used in order to maintain the
quality, shape, odor, alkalinity or acidity of food, or, to meet the technological requirements
for the production, processing, packaging, transportation and preservation of food. Such
contaminants as poisonous micro-fungus, heavy metals, herbal preserving agents, animal medicines, etc., are not considered food additives. The list of food additives allowed in food
is presented in Decree No. No.3742/2001/QD-BTY.
State Control/Testing Agencies (SCA) associated with the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the
Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) who have been appointed to verify imported
foods in compliance with food quality and safety regulations:
Northern Region National Nutrition Institute (MOH)
Technical Center Number 1 (MOST)
Central Region Nha Trang Pasteur Institute (MOH)
Technical Center Number 2 (MOST)
Highlands Region Epidemiological and Hygiene Institute (MOH)
Southern Region Public Health and Hygiene Institute (MOH)
Technical Center Number 3 (MOST)