Vietnam Sanitary and Phytosanitary Notification Authority and Enquiry Point

The draft QCVN 8-1:2025/BYT replaces QCVN 8-1:2011/BYT National technical regulation on limits of mycotoxin contamination in food.

This draft National technical regulation stipulates technical requirements (Maximum permitted limits on the limits of mycotoxin contamination in food), testing methods, sampling; management requirements; and responsibilities of organizations and individuals producing and trading food. The reference basis for reviewing and amending the regulations on mycotoxin limits in the draft QCVN is based on the provisions of the Codex General Standard for Contaminants and Toxins in Food (CODEX STAN 193-1995) updated in 2023 and EC Standard 2023/915 dated 25 April 2023 on maximum limits of certain contaminants in food replacing Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006, latest version dated 22 July 2024 and referring to other regulations on mycotoxin contamination limits in food that vary between countries around the world as follows:

• EC Standard 2023/915 dated 25 April 2023 on maximum limits for certain contaminants in food replaces Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006, the latest update dated 22 July 2024, which has changed the maximum limits for some indicators and added regulations for some food groups, such as: adding and changing the limits of Aflatoxin M1, Ocharatoxin A, Zearalenone for some product groups; adding exclusions for the group of formula products for children aged 6-36 months; Additional limits for Ergot sclerotia and ergot alkaloids, T-2 and HT-2;

• The Codex general standard for contaminants and toxins in food (CODEX STAN 193- 1995) 2023 update has added regulations for some product groups and maximum contamination limits for some indicators different from EU regulations.

This draft National technical regulation update testing methods: The testing methods stated in the National Technical Regulation QCVN 8-1:2011/BYT are all AOAC methods. However, the Ministry of Science and Technology has currently issued 24 Vietnamese Standards (TCVN) on testing methods for mycotoxins (with appendices attached). Referencing and citing TCVNs in QCVN will create more favourable conditions for organizations and individuals in assessing the conformity of mycotoxin indicators with current regulations. TCVNs on testing methods for mycotoxins referred to in QCVN need to be assessed and confirmed for the validity of the testing method to be suitable for the equipment and technical capacity of testing laboratories.

This regulation applies to a) Organizations and individuals importing, producing and trading food products at risk of mycotoxin contamination; b) Relevant organizations and individuals