Food safety certificate is an important document for food production and business establishments in Vietnam. However, not every unit needs to apply for this certificate. Decree 15/2018/ND-CP regulates in detail cases exempted from procedures for granting Certificates of establishments meeting food safety conditions. The following article will specifically analyze cases where this certificate is not required.

The importance of food safety certificates

A food safety certificate is a document proving that a food production and business establishment meets food safety and hygiene requirements. This document is issued by a competent state agency according to the provisions of the Law on Food Safety 2010. This certificate ensures the rights of consumers and enhances the responsibility of food production and trading enterprises.

Food safety certificates are important for food production and business activities. This is a mandatory condition for the establishment to be allowed to operate legally. This certificate is also the basis for state management agencies to carry out periodic or unexpected inspections and tests.

For consumers, food safety certificates are the basis for choosing products and services from reputable, quality-assured businesses. Publicizing this certificate at business establishments also contributes to enhancing customer trust in the business’s products and services.

When do you need to apply for a food safety certificate?

According to the provisions of Clause 1, Article 11 of Decree 15/2018/ND-CP, food production and business establishments must apply for a Certificate of establishment meeting food safety conditions including:

Food production and business establishments must have a Certificate of establishment meeting food safety conditions when operating, except for the cases specified in Clause 1, Article 12 of this Decree.

Thus, before operating, if a food production or business establishment is required to have a food safety certificate, it must prepare documents and carry out procedures to apply for a certificate.

In what cases a Food safety certificate is not required

Pursuant to Article 12 of Decree 15/2018/ND-CP, cases that are not subject to the issuance of a Certificate of eligibility for food safety include:

• Small initial production: This is the initial production of agricultural, forestry and fishery products on a household scale, without business registration.
• Food production and trading without a fixed location: Including street vending activities and food trading at temporary markets and toad markets.
• Small-scale processing: Is the activity of preparing food at households to sell directly to consumers.
• Small food business: Is an individual’s food business at traditional markets, at home and other locations.
• Pre-packaged food business: Includes business activities of pre-packaged food products with full labels.
• Producing and trading tools and materials for packaging and containing food: Is the activity of producing and trading all kinds of packaging and food containers.
• Restaurants in the hotel: Restaurants are located on the premises and are under the management of the hotel.
• Collective kitchens are not registered as food businesses: Kitchens at schools and factories are not registered as food businesses.
• Street food business: Food business activities at mobile street stalls.
• The facility has been granted one of the following Certificates: GMP, HACCP, ISO 22000, IFS, BRC, FSSC 22000 or equivalent that is still valid.

Consulting services on cases that do not require a Food Safety Certificate at Long Phan

Accurately identifying cases where a Food Safety Certificate is not required is important for businesses. Long Phan provides professional consulting services on cases that do not require a Food Safety Certificate.

Services provided by Long Phan include:

• Providing professional consulting services on cases that do not require a Food Safety Certificate.
• Regularly update the latest regulations in the field of food safety to ensure accurate advice to customers.
• Analyze the operational situation of the customer’s business, carefully consider the scale, type of business and specific characteristics of the food production and business establishment
• Review and evaluate food safety conditions at customer facilities, helping establishments ensure compliance with food safety regulations.
• Support businesses in the process of inspection and examination by authorities, instructing how to prepare necessary documents and records and how to respond to situations that may occur during the inspection process.

With experience in the field of license consulting for businesses, Long Phan will provide customers with optimal solutions, saving time and costs. Customers will be directly supported by an experienced team with a deep understanding of the field of food safety. Customers who need detailed advice on this issue, please contact Long Phan via Hotline: 0906735386. We are ready to assist customers in answering all questions and providing the most optimal solution.