Vietnam rejects false reports on food exports

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued no reports of any harm to human health caused by food imported from Vietnam since early 2009, announced the Vietnamese embassy and trade representative to the US on February 24. 

 Vietnam’s Trade Representative Office in the US said that the FDA’s lists in December 2008 and January 2009 had identified 38 and 47 sub-standard shipments respectively, from Vietnam, which accounts for just only tiny percentage of Vietnam’s food exports to the US, and represents a very low rate when compared to some other countries. 

The announcement came after a number of news articles published in the US this month warned consumers not to food imported from Vietnam, quoting the FDA as having said that the food is unhygienic or contaminated.  

“That information is false and might have been circulated to intentionally damage our reputation,” said a Vietnamese embassy official.

The FDA issues a monthly list of products from overseas that have been refused entry into the US the previous month.

 (Source: VOV dated 25th Feb 2009)