Circular No. 17/2011/TT-BYT dated May 17, 2011 of the Ministry of Health issuing provisions on radioactive contamination limit levels in foods

CIRCULAR

ISSUING PROVISIONS ON RADIOACTIVE CONTAMINATION LIMIT LEVELS IN FOODS

Pursuant to the Ordinance on Hygiene and Food Safety dated August 07, 2003 and Decree No.163/2004/ND-CP dated September 07, 2004 of the Government detailing the implementation of a number of Articles of the Ordinance on Hygiene and Food Safety;

Pursuant to the Decree No.188/2007/ND-CP dated27/12/2007of the Government stipulating the function, tasks, powers and organizational structure of the Ministry of Health;

Ministry of Health issues Provisions on radioactive contamination limit levels in foods as follows:

Article 1.Issue together with this Circular "Provisions on radioactive contamination limit levels in foods.".

Article 2.This Circular takes effect from the date of signing. In the case respective National Technical Regulations are promulgated, the limit levels of radioactive contamination in foods are made according to such Technical Regulations.

Article 3.Mr. (Ms): Chief Office of the Ministry of Health, Chief Inspector of the Ministry of Health; Directors of Departments: Legal Department, Science and Training; Director of Department of Safety and Food Hygiene; the heads of units of Ministry of Health, Directors of Departments of Health of the provinces and centrally-run cities shall implement this Circular.

PROVISIONS ON

RADIOACTIVE CONTAMINATION LIMIT LEVELS IN FOODS
(Issued together with Circular No.17/2011/TT-BYT dated May 17, 2011 of Minister of Health)

Article 1.Scope of governing

This Circular adjusts the limit levels of radioactive contamination in food produced domestically and imported which may be contaminated radiation from the nuclear incidents.

Article 2. Subjects of application

This Circular applies to organizations and individuals (hereinafter referred to as traders) producing, processing, trading and importing foods derived from the areas happened or affected by the nuclear incident for circulation in Vietnam market.

Article 3. The limit levels of radioactive contamination in food

1. For food samples found to be infected several radioisotopes in the same group: the maximum limit level is specified for the total activity of the radioisotopes in the found group.

2. For food samples found to be infected several radioisotopes in the different group: the maximum limit level is specified for the total activity of the radioisotopes in each separate group, not included totals between different groups.

Article 4. Method of determining the level of radioactive contamination in foods

The determination of radioactive contamination level in foods shall comply with the following methods:

1. Determination of gamma radioisotopes: low background gamma spectrum analysis method using HpGe probe.

2. Determination of pure beta radiation radioisotopes: radioactive chemical separation method, measuring the activity of beta using the low background beta metric.

3. Determination of alpha radioisotopes: radioactive chemical separation method, alpha spectrum analysis.

Article 5. Responsibilities of traders

Traders must check radiation contamination levels in foods under the guidance of the competent State management agencies.

Traders are only permitted producing, processing, trading, importing foods for circulation in Vietnam when the test results meet the requirements specified in Article 3 of this Provision.

Article 6. The responsibilities of management agencies

Department of Safety and Food Hygiene shall coordinate with the Department of Radiation Safety and Nuclear (Ministry of Science and Technology) to organize the implementation of this Circular.