Ho Chi Minh City To Launch Organic Food Stores Under New Regulatory Scheme

Viet Nam’s Ho Chi Minh City is awaiting government approval for creation of a chain of organic food stores under a new food management test project that places all stages of organic food production under the control of one agency. Included in the project will be organic meat, fish and vegetables produced according to the Vietnamese Good Agricultural Practices standards created by the newly-enacted Food Hygiene and Safety Law. All phases of production, including breeding, feed, slaughter, use of water, pesticides, veterinary medicines, and delivery will be controlled by the Department of Health’s Food Hygiene and Safety Division. Currently, production and marketing of organic foods are monitored by several agencies. Since 2006, organic agriculture in Viet Nam has grown 20 percent a year, a pace that is expected to continue.