On 30 December 2023, the Ministry of Health of Vietnam issued Circular No. 29/2023/TT-BYT, which guiding the content and presentation of nutritional facts and nutritional values on food labels. The Circular details the mandatory nutritional information to be included on food labels, the methods of declaration, and the legal basis for such declarations. Foodmate analyzes the main contents as follows.

I. Scope and Applicability:

The Circular applies to pre-packaged food products produced, marketed, imported, and distributed in Vietnam. It does not apply to food raw materials sold directly to consumers, single-ingredient foods, natural mineral water, food seasonings, tea and coffee that do not contain any ingredient other than colorings and flavorings, alcoholic drinks, health supplements, and foods produced by small-scale retail food manufacturers.

The Circular is applicable to all organizations and individuals responsible for food labeling, as well as national food safety management agencies and other institutions and individuals related to nutritional content declaration on food labels.

II. Content to be Declared:

Food labels must include information on the following nutritional facts:

ü Energy (in kilocalories)

ü Protein (in grams)

ü Carbohydrates (in grams)

ü Total Fat (in grams)

ü Sodium (in milligrams)

For certain types of food, such as soft drink, processed milk with added sugar and fried foods, there are additional labeling requirements. For example, soft drink, processed milk with added sugar need to declare total sugar and its value, while fried foods need to declare saturated fat and its value.

III. Method of Declaration:

Nutritional information should be expressed in terms of per 100g or 100ml of food, or according to the service size declared on the packaging. Additionally, the percentage of reference nutritional values can be declared to help consumers better understand the nutritional value of the food. The declared information must be clear, accurate, and easily recognizable and understandable by consumers, and it should not be erasable.

IV. Implementation Timeline:

The guidance document takes effect from February 15, 2024. Food producers and marketers have until December 31, 2025, to adjust their product labels to comply with the new requirements. From January 1, 2026, food labels that do not meet the new regulations will not be allowed to circulate in the market.

V. Transitional Provisions:

For food products that were produced, marketed, imported, and distributed before January 1, 2026, if their labels do not declare nutritional content according to the new regulations, these products can continue to circulate in the market until the expiration date indicated on the label.

VI. Reference Nutritional Values:

The Circular provides recommended reference nutritional values based on the nutritional needs of the Vietnamese population and international food standards. These values help food manufacturers consider nutritional balance when designing products and also provide a reference for consumers to make healthy food choices.

Summary:

This Circular from the Ministry of Health of Vietnam is a significant update to food labeling, enhancing transparency and public awareness of nutritional information. By clearly declaring mandatory nutritional components and providing reference nutritional values, consumers can more easily choose foods that meet their health needs. This initiative is expected to have a positive impact on public health and consumer rights in Vietnam.

Compliance management of imported food in the Southeast Asian market is one of Foodmate's important international business areas. Foodmate has rich practical experience in product safety compliance, label compliance, etc., and can help companies enter the Vietnamese market and provide companies with professional export guidance and compliance advice.