,"The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) has issued a draft of QCVN 5-1:2025/BCT, proposing updated national technical requirements for fluid milk products. The draft strengthens standards on composition, contaminants, labeling, and quality control for all liquid dairy products produced, sold, or imported into Vietnam.
Broader Scope of Regulation
The regulation covers six major categories of liquid milk products, including fresh milk, reconstituted milk, composite milk, evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, and milk products with added vegetable fats. Infant formula and products for children under 36 months are excluded.
Updated Physico-Chemical Standards
Minimum thresholds for protein, fat, density, and total solids are specified for each category. For example, fresh whole milk must contain ≥2.7% protein and ≥3.2% milk fat, while evaporated and condensed milk categories receive revised requirements.
Strict Limits for Contaminants
New maximum limits are introduced for heavy metals and toxins, including:
Lead (Pb): 0.02 mg/kg
Aflatoxin M1: 0.5 µg/kg
Melamine: 2.5 mg/kg
These limits apply across liquid milk products, with special provisions for concentrated categories.
Microbiological Safety Criteria
The draft sets sampling plans and maximum allowable limits for Enterobacteriaceae and Listeria monocytogenes, especially for ready-to-eat milk products.
Internationally Harmonized Testing Methods
The regulation references updated TCVN, ISO, EN, and AOAC analytical methods for assessing composition, contaminants, and microbiological safety, ensuring alignment with international standards.
New Labelling Requirements
The principal display panel must clearly identify the product type. Terms such as “SỮA HOÀN NGUYÊN”, “SỮA PHA LẠI”, or “SỮA HỖN HỢP” must appear in capital letters and in a font size not smaller than the product name to ensure consumer clarity.
Self-Declaration & Traceability
Manufacturers and importers must self-declare product conformity and ensure traceability through product labels, electronic identification, or digital passports, in accordance with Vietnamese quality control regulations.
Transition Period
Existing self-declarations under QCVN 5-1:2010/BYT can continue for up to six months after the new regulation takes effect. Pre-printed packaging compliant with the older regulation may also be used for six months post-enforcement."
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