Notes when testing imported functional foods

Notes when testing imported functional foods

Translate product labels

In order to be able to know the exact information shown on the product label, it is necessary to translate the product label (except for Vietnamese and English labels), to avoid information inference. Incorrect label information not only leads to false testing, but also to the information on the publication profile.

Among the information about functional food products, the following information can be edited and published, such as: Manufacturer's address, manufacturer's name, product volume, etc. The information that cannot be edited is as follows: : Product expiry date, product composition, product usage instructions.

The manufacturer's nutritional value index on the main label

– Checking the main quality criteria: When setting up the testing criteria, enterprises need to pay special attention to the nutritional value indicators on the product labels. Indicators that have and have results (> 0) must be checked for all of those criteria, and criteria that manufacturers have to have value (=0) are not checked.

– Testing of heavy metal criteria: Depending on the composition of the product to check accordingly.

Such as:

Criteria for testing supplementary foods for pregnant women

Ginseng health protection food in water form

- Check microbiological criteria

Supplements for pregnant women

Ginseng health protection food in water form

In addition to the above criteria, it is necessary to check the Aflatoxin B1 content; Aflatoxin B1B2G1G2 content.

Depending on the specific product, enterprises compare with Decision 46/2007/QD - BYT: Regulation on maximum limits of biological and chemical pollution in food, QCVN 8 - 2: 2011/ QCVN 8 - 1 : 2011/ QCVN 8 – 3: 201 to have the most accurate test criteria for each product.

Check the legality of the Lab

After completing the testing criteria, the enterprise needs to check the testing laboratory or testing center that is expected to perform the test. See the functional decision of the Lab to see if it is eligible to test all the criteria that the product needs to be tested. Because there are many labs that can test normal foods but not functional foods. Avoid splitting the situation that a product splits into 2 check sheets in two different centers.

Compare the test results and the nutritional value on the label

After having the test results, the enterprise checks the results of the actual check sheet. Compare the test results with the manufacturer's nutritional value listed on the product label. The test value shall be at least 80% of the value on the label. Example: Test result is 8 /100g; The value on the label is 9.1/100g so the test result should be at least 7.2/100g (80% of 9.2g).

Conditions for test paper to meet standards when announcing functional foods

The test result sheet is an extremely important component in the dossier of declaration of imported functional foods. This is a form of product evaluation and quality check to prove that the product has reached the best quality and ensures the health of customers when using. The test paper to submit with the application for declaration of functional foods needs:

• Issued by a state testing laboratory or an accredited private testing laboratory
• The test paper must have all the specific criteria of the product according to the regulations of the Ministry of Health
• The test certificate must be valid within 12 months from the date of issuance to the date of submission of the application for publication