Warning: Many batches of Vietnamese pepper were destroyed in Taiwan (China)

(Dan Tri) - Many batches of Vietnamese pepper exported to Taiwan (China) were found to be contaminated with Sudan IV and had to be destroyed, causing great damage and affecting the reputation of the spice industry.

The Vietnam Pepper and Spice Association (VPSA) has just issued an urgent notice to businesses, warning that pepper exported to Taiwan (China) has been found to be infected with Sudan IV and is required to be completely destroyed.

According to the latest update from the Vietnam Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei and member businesses, Taiwan (China) recently continued to discover a number of Vietnamese pepper shipments positive for Sudan IV. All of these shipments were requested to be destroyed by the authorities, causing serious economic damage to businesses, estimated at hundreds of thousands of USD per shipment.

Sudan IV is an industrial dye banned from use in food. The discovery of Sudan IV residues in pepper products not only directly affects the related businesses, but also threatens the reputation of the entire Vietnamese spice industry in international markets.

While the authorities of both sides continue to discuss to agree on testing methods and technical handling procedures, VPSA has made three strong recommendations to businesses:

Firstly, absolutely do not export pepper to Taiwan (China) at the present time if the risk of Sudan IV contamination in the product cannot be completely controlled.

Second, only export when there are clear, reliable test results and ensure transparent traceability.

Third, although the risk probability is assessed as low, the consequences if detected are particularly serious - from the destruction of goods, loss of commercial reputation to large financial losses. Therefore, the Association recommends that businesses proactively report as soon as a shipment is warned or inspected, to promptly coordinate with management agencies to handle and minimize losses.

“The Association is closely coordinating with the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment , the Ministry of Industry and Trade and relevant authorities in Taiwan (China) to resolve technical problems and protect the legitimate rights of Vietnamese enterprises,” VPSA’s announcement stated.

In addition, the Association also called on businesses in the industry to strictly comply with recommendations and improve quality control processes to protect common interests and maintain the reputation of Vietnamese pepper and spices in the international market.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/kinh-doanh/canh-bao-hang-loat-lo-ho-tieu-viet-nam-bi-tieu-huy-o-dai-loan-trung-quoc-20251021172807899.htm