Concerned about the situation, AVA has announced the discovery of sudan in the imports to the WTO’s Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures. AVA has also announced it will apply necessary measures to control the imports. Only the processing establishments which are recognised by AVA can export salted eggs and canned eggs to Singapore. The regulation will be valid as of July 13, 2007.

AVA has sent a document to the Vietnam Veterinary Agency, requesting a list of the establishments producing salted eggs and canned eggs which have been recognised by Vietnamese agencies.

AVA has asked for detailed information about the processing establishments and relevant documents prior to June 11, 2007 for AVA’s assessment, before the regulation becomes effective from July 13, 2007.

From that day, in order to export eggs to Singapore, Vietnamese exporters have to provide necessary documents, especially certificates on food hygiene, which certify that the eggs do not contain red sudan, or any additive that can harm human health. In addition, exporters have to show that the products are made and packaged in good, sanitary conditions.

The information to be provided must be clear and detailed, allowing for the tracking down of products when necessary. Processing establishments and exporters also have to give photos of the production workshops, and catalogue/brochure of the products.

The news about the discovery of sudan in exported eggs has been giving a headache to State management authorities. Deputy Director of the Animal Husbandry Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) Nguyen Thanh Son said that it was very difficult to control the production processes of small establishments. In addition, it is very difficult to take egg samples from markets for verification.