Vietnam strictly prohibits melamine-contained foods

Hanoi (VNA) - Vietnam will promptly destroy any kinds of animal
feeds that are found to contain melamine, said Deputy Minister of
Agriculture and Rural Development Luong Le Phuong, responding to new
information on contaminated foods.

After Hong Kong reported that chicken eggs of Chinese origin were found
to be contaminated with melamine, Vietnamese authorised agencies have
immediately begun inspections of eggs and animal feeds on the domestic
market.

According to Deputy Minister Phuong, all shipments of animal feed
materials officially imported into the country have to present their
certificates of origins to custom offices.

He said inspector teams have been continuing their checks at animal feed
producing establishments. Any products found to be hygienically
unsatisfactory will be banned from selling and all those which are found to
contain melamine will be destroyed.

Hoang Kim Giao, Head of the Husbandry Department of the Ministry of
Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), affirmed that Vietnam has not
discovered melamine in all test samples of animal feeds.

He also said the country only imports eggs for breeding purpose through
official channels.

However, the MARD recommended domestic consumers to be cautious about
smuggled eggs from China . Farmers are also asked to select only
certified animal feeds in order to ensure their products hygienic and safe.

Deputy Health Minister Cao Minh Quang also affirmed that his ministry
would not allow any foods containing melamine and all contaminated products
must be destroyed.

In addition to inspections of milk products sold in Vietnam , the Health
Ministry has required that supermarkets sell only those milk products that
have been certified as melamine free either by producers or authorised
laboratories in Vietnam .

It also plans to coordinate with the MARD and the Ministry of Trade and
Industry to extend melamine testing to products in high risk groups.-Enditem