Decree No. 163/2005/ND-CP On the Production and Supply of Iodized Salt for Human Consumption

DECREE

Regarding the production and supply of iodized salt for human consumption

THE GOVERNMENT

Pursuant to the Law on Organization of the Government dated December 25, 2001;

Based on the Food Safety Ordinance dated July 26, 2003

Based on the Goods Quality Ordinance dated December 24, 1999;

Considering the proposal of the Minister of Health,

DECREE:

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation and Applicability

1. This Decree stipulates the conditions for producing iodized salt and ensuring its quality for human consumption; it also specifies the responsibilities of organizations and individuals involved in the production and supply of iodized salt for human consumption, as well as the responsibilities of Ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government-affiliated agencies, People's Committees at all levels, social organizations, and the public in preventing and combating disorders caused by iodine deficiency.

2. This Decree applies to Ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government-affiliated agencies, People's Committees at all levels, and organizations and individuals related to the activities of producing and supplying iodized salt for human consumption.

Article 2. Interpretation of Terms

1. Regular salt and common salty seasonings are salt and salty seasonings without added iodine.

2. Iodized salt is regular salt mixed with Potassium Iodate (KIO₃) according to the standards set by the Ministry of Health.

3. Fake iodized salt is regular salt or salt that does not contain sufficient Potassium Iodate (KIO₃) as per the standard but is packaged and labeled as iodized salt.

Article 3. Responsibilities of agencies and organizations

1. Ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government-affiliated agencies, People's Committees at all levels, social organizations, and mass media agencies have the responsibility to promote and educate the public about the benefits of using iodized salt for human consumption and to implement legal regulations regarding the production and use of iodized salt.

2. The Ministry of Health has the responsibility:

a) To issue standards for the quality of Potassium Iodate (KIO₃) used to mix with iodized salt;

b) To issue standards for the iodine content in iodized salt;

c) To issue standards for the facilities and means of transporting iodized salt;

d) To guide individuals who, due to health reasons, should not consume iodized salt;

đ) To inspect the quality of iodized salt;

e) To train and instruct staff involved in testing iodized salt;

g) To coordinate with functional agencies, departments, and mass organizations to encourage the public to use iodized salt.

3. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has the responsibility:

a) To plan the network of iodized salt production nationwide;

b) To regulate the production of regular salt.

4. The Ministry of Trade has the responsibility to manage the circulation of regular salt and iodized salt in the market.

5. The Ministry of Culture and Information has the responsibility to promote the benefits of using iodized salt and the impact of iodine deficiency on public health.

6. Provincial People's Committees and municipal people's committees directly under the central government have the responsibility:

a) To ensure adequate supply of iodized salt for human consumption; to implement subsidy policies for iodized salt prices and transportation costs (if applicable) as per current regulations;

b) To organize promotional campaigns and mobilize the public to use iodized salt.

Article 8. Prohibited acts

Producing, circulating, and trading fake iodized salt or iodized salt that does not meet the prescribed quality standards.

Chapter II

CONDITIONS FOR PRODUCING IODIZED SALT

Article 5. Conditions for staff of iodized salt production facilities

1. Testing staff of iodized salt production facilities must meet the following conditions:

a) To be trained in iodized salt testing;

b) To be thoroughly familiar with the iodized salt production process.

2. Direct production workers must meet the following conditions:

a) To be in good health as defined by the Ministry of Health, particularly free from infectious diseases and skin diseases;

b) To be thoroughly familiar with the iodized salt production process and food safety standards.

Article 6. Conditions for iodized salt production facilities

1. The location for iodized salt production must ensure hygiene and be far from harmful environments according to the guidelines of the Ministry of Health.

2. Factories and warehouses must be constructed to ensure they are dry, clean, well-ventilated, with a wastewater drainage system that meets environmental standards, warehouse floors must be cemented or tiled, and processing plant floors must be tiled and arranged continuously from raw material storage areas, iodized salt mixing zones to finished product storage areas.

3. Testing laboratories must be equipped with sufficient tools and chemicals to measure iodine content. Testing staff must meet the conditions stipulated in Clause 1, Article 5 of this Decree.

4. Production facilities must ensure adequate personal protective equipment and labor hygiene for workers in accordance with laws on labor protection.

Chapter III

QUALITY OF IODIZED SALT

Article 7. Quality declaration of iodized salt

Iodized salt must be self-declared by the production facility to have quality standards meeting the required iodine content as specified by the Ministry of Health and ensuring the quality of iodized salt as declared.

Article 8. Labeling of iodized salt

Labels for iodized salt must comply with legal regulations on product labeling and must include the following essential information:

1. Name and address of the production and processing facility.

2. Product quality registration number of the production and processing facility.

3. Iodine content.

4. Weight.

5. Storage and usage instructions.

6. Date of production.

7. Expiry date.

Article 9. Packaging, storage, and transportation of iodized salt

1. Iodized salt must be packaged in food safety standard containers when transported from the production site to the consumption site; transport packaging must bear the symbols "moisture-proof," "tear-resistant," and "avoid rain and sun."

2. Iodized salt must be stored in ventilated warehouses and placed 0.30 meters away from walls, 0.30 meters above the floor, and 0.50 meters below the roof.

3. When sold, iodized salt must be kept in dry, well-ventilated areas, avoiding direct sunlight and rain.

4. Iodized salt must be transported using covered vehicles to protect against heat and sunlight; transportation vehicles must meet hygiene requirements.

Chapter IV

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 10. Effective Date

This Decree takes effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette and replaces Government Decree No. 19/1999/NĐ-CP dated April 10, 1999, regarding the production and supply of iodized salt for consumption.

Article 11. Responsibility for Implementation

Ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, heads of government-affiliated agencies, Chairpersons of provincial and municipal People's Committees directly under the Central Government are responsible for implementing this Decree./.