Viet Nam Updates Food Products Safety Framework with New Law Draft

Viet Nam has released a draft of a new Food Safety Law to replace the 2010 version, strengthening oversight across food products, street food, restaurants, and school meal services^{1, 2}.

VIET NAM – FOOD PRODUCTS

Viet Nam Overhauls Food Safety with New Law Draft

New rules cover everything from street food to school meals and imported goods.

What changed

Scope expanded to cover ready-to-eat meals, processed foods, and school meal services^{1, 2}.

Information system required for national food safety data, risk analysis and incident response^{1, 2}.

Stricter conditions for trade with new testing and labeling standards for all imported and exported food^{1, 2}.

Who it affects

Food business establishments must meet new hygiene standards and safety protocols^{1, 2}.

Food importers must ensure products comply with new testing and labeling rules^{1, 2}.

School meal services are now explicitly covered and must meet specific safety conditions^{1, 2}.

Street food vendors are now included under the national food safety framework^{1, 2}.

Viet Nam — draft Food Safety Law expands oversight and requirements

Viet Nam is advancing a comprehensive food safety reform through a new draft law that expands regulatory scope to include ready-to-eat meals, processed foods, and school meal services, establishing clear conditions for food business establishments and imported goods^{1, 2}. The law introduces mandatory requirements for food safety information systems, risk analysis, and incident response, with provisions covering street food, collective catering, and food advertising and labeling^{1, 2}. This shift reflects a broader effort to standardize food safety across all food business types, including those involved in imported food and exported food operations^{1, 2}.

Scope of Food Safety Oversight

The new draft law establishes a broad regulatory framework covering food safety principles, prohibited acts, and responsibilities of organizations and individuals, extending to food products, street food, restaurants, and school meal services^{1, 2}.

Conditions for Food Business Establishments

The law outlines specific conditions applicable to food business operations, including hygiene standards and safety protocols, with detailed requirements for collective catering and school meal services^{1, 2}.

Imported and Exported Food Requirements

Viet Nam now requires strict safety conditions for both imported and exported food, including compliance with food testing and labeling standards to ensure consistent safety across trade flows^{1, 2}.

Food Safety Information and Communication

The draft mandates the development of a national food safety information system and promotes public education and communication on food safety practices^{1, 2}.

Sources

↩ G/SPS/N/VNM/187 — Draft of the Food Safety Law replacing the the Food Safety Law2010 https://docs.wto.org/imrd/directdoc.asp?DDFDocuments/T/G/SPS/NVNM187.docx
↩ G/TBT/N/VNM/441 — Draft of the Food Safety Law replacing the the Food Safety Law 2010 https://docs.wto.org/imrd/directdoc.asp?DDFDocuments/T/G/TBTN26/VNM441.docx