In the draft amended Decree on administrative penalties for food safety, the Ministry of Health proposes penalties for violations of regulations on the use of substances, chemicals, antibiotics, veterinary drugs, and pesticides in food production and processing (Article 6 as follows):
1. A fine of between 15,000 VND and 30,000 VND shall be imposed for the act of using substances or chemicals that are past their expiration date or have no expiration date.
2. A fine of between VND 40,000,000 and VND 60,000,000 shall be imposed for the act of using substances or chemicals exceeding the permitted limit or not meeting the corresponding technical standards and food safety regulations.
3. A fine of between 60,000,000,000 VND and 80,000,000,000 VND shall be imposed for one of the following acts:
a) Using substances, chemicals, antibiotics, veterinary drugs, plant protection drugs prohibited from use in food production and processing where the product is worth less than 10,000,000 VND;
b) Using substances, chemicals, antibiotics, veterinary drugs, pesticides outside the list of substances allowed to be used or not yet allowed to circulate in Vietnam in food production where the product is worth less than 50,000,000 VND".
4. A fine of between 80,000 VND and 100,000 VND shall be imposed for one of the following acts:
a) Using substances, chemicals, antibiotics, veterinary drugs, plant protection drugs prohibited from use in food production and processing where the product is worth 10,000,000 VND or more but not yet at the level of criminal prosecution;
b) Using substances, chemicals, antibiotics, veterinary drugs, pesticides outside the list of substances allowed to be used or not yet allowed to circulate in Vietnam in food production where the product is worth 50,000,000 VND or more but has not reached the level of criminal prosecution.
Explaining this proposal, the Ministry of Health said that the drafting agency has increased the fine level for acts in Clause 1, Clause 2, Clause 3. Reason: The penalty level is still low, not enough to deter.
