PROCEDURE FOR APPLYING FOR A FOOD SAFETY CERTIFICATE FOR A COFFEE ROASTING AND GRINDING FACILITY IN HO CHI MINH CITY 2024

In Vietnam, the food production and business are conditional activities, and facilities involved in these operations shall comply with food safety regulations. One of the documents proving that a facility meets food safety requirements is the Food Safety Certificate, issued by a competent authority. Below are the procedures for applying for a Food Safety Certificate for a coffee roasting and grinding facility in Ho Chi Minh City in 2024.

1. Conditions for a coffee roasting and grinding facility to obtain a Food Safety Certificate (FSC)

A coffee roasting and grinding facility shall meet some regulations on facilities, people and materials as follows:

• Facilities, equipment and tools shall ensure food safety and meet relevant national standards;
• Raw materials and packaging shall have clear origins and be stored in a dry and well-ventilated place;
• The facility owner and people directly engaged in production shall undergo periodic health checks;
• People directly engaged in production shall undergo training on food safety knowledge.

In addition to the above conditions, a coffee roasting and grinding facility shall also have a self-declaration of the products and a business registration certificate that includes the production/roasting/grinding of coffee as a registered business line.

2. Dossier for issuance of FSC

Coffee roasting and grinding facility prepares a dossier according to Clause 1 Article 36 Law on Food Safety 2010, including:

• An application form for an FSC;
• A copy of the business registration certificate;
• An explanation of facilities, equipment and tools ensuring food safety and hygiene conditions;
• Certificate of sufficient health of the facility owner and people directly producing and trading food issued by a district-level or higher healthcare facility;
• Certificate confirming that the facility owner and people directly involved in the production and sale of food have received training on food safety and hygiene knowledge.
• Power of attorney (if any).

The certificate of sufficient health and the certificate of having been trained in food safety and hygiene knowledge of the facility owner and people directly producing and trading food can either be submitted with the application or provided to the appraisal team during an on-site evaluation.

3. Licensing authority: Department of Food Safety of Ho Chi Minh City

4. Validity of FSC

The certificate is valid for a period of 03 years from the date of issuance. Within six (06) months prior to the expiration of the certificate, food production and business entities shall submit a dossier for the renewal of the certificate if they wish to continue their production and business activities.

5. Application submission: Online via the Ho Chi Minh City Administrative Procedure Settlement System.

6. Processing time: 15 working days from the date of receipt of a complete and valid dossier.

7. Fee: The appraisal fee for issuing an FSC for agricultural, forestry and aquatic food production and trading facilities is 700,000 VND/facility.

8. Procedures for applying for an FSC for a coffee roasting and grinding facility

Clause 2 Article 36 Law on Food Safety 2010 and Circular 38/2018/TT-BNNPTNT stipulate the procedures for applying for an FSC as follows:

Above is general information about the procedures for applying for an FSC for a coffee roasting and grinding facility. In the process of applying for an FSC, legal issues may arise. Therefore, if you need further information or have any difficulties in the process of applying for an FSC, please do not hesitate to contact D.P.T Law Firm via phone number 0336662099 or via email enquiry@dptlaw.vn for detailed advice.