EU Tightens Food Safety Requirements for Vietnamese Exports
The SPS Vietnam Office warns exporters to strictly comply with EU regulations on labeling, residues, and microbiological safety to avoid product recalls.
According to the SPS Vietnam Office, the focal point for information from the EU's Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF), as of August 12, 2026, several shipments of Vietnamese food exports have faced alerts regarding labeling errors, allergen declarations, residue levels, and microbiological safety.
A significant issue identified is allergen declaration. In 2026, the EU recorded cases of shrimp-filled dumplings and ravioli that failed to disclose egg content on the labels. The SPS Vietnam Office strongly advises businesses to thoroughly review their lists of ingredients and additives to ensure the absolute accuracy of information provided on packaging.
Particularly for vegetarian and vegan products, EU authorities have detected the presence of animal DNA (such as chicken and pork) that does not match the declared information. Businesses must exercise strict control over their production processes to eliminate the risk of cross-contamination.
Regarding microbiological safety, pathogens such as Salmonella and Vibrio cholerae are under heightened scrutiny, especially in products of animal origin like frog legs and pangasius fillets. Furthermore, regulations concerning irradiated food and chemical migration from packaging (specifically Bisphenol A - BPA) require rigorous control measures.
The SPS Vietnam Office emphasizes the importance of staying updated with WTO and EU SPS regulations. With European markets accounting for 13.8% of Vietnam's agriculture, forestry, and fishery export share in the first 7 months of 2026, maintaining quality standards and traceability remains the key factor for Vietnamese enterprises to sustain their presence in this market.