On the afternoon of October 3, the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) organized a workshop on developing national technical standards for cassava starch products. The event was chaired by the Department of Innovation, Green Transition and Industrial Promotion, with the participation of relevant MoIT departments, including the Office of the Ministry, the Industry Agency, the Domestic Market Department, the Import and Export Department, the Trade Remedies Authority, the Legal Department, the Institute of Food Industry, and the Institute for Industry and Trade Strategy and Policy Research.

Developing standards suited to Vietnam’s practical conditions

Representatives from the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the Vietnam Standards and Quality Institute, the Vietnam Cassava Association, universities, and cassava starch producers and exporters also attended.

Deputy Director General Nguyen Viet Tan highlighted that cassava and cassava-based products, including cassava starch, are among Vietnam’s 13 key agricultural commodities, contributing billions of dollars annually in export value and providing livelihoods for millions of farmers.

However, he noted that Vietnam still lacks a national technical standard for cassava starch used in food production that aligns with domestic and international requirements. Production technologies and scales remain uneven, leading to inconsistent product quality, which can affect competitiveness and food safety.

To address this, the MoIT plans to develop and issue a National Technical Regulation on cassava starch used in food, in line with the Law on Food Safety and the Law on Product and Goods Quality. The regulation will ensure transparency, harmonize the interests of consumers and businesses, and adopt international best practices suited to Vietnam’s conditions.

The draft standards will include clear requirements for traceability, labeling, and safety indicators to ensure consistency and sustainability.

Consultation and consensus toward final regulation

At the workshop, Vietnam Cassava Association Chairman Nghiem Minh Tien expressed full support for establishing a national technical regulation to manage product quality and protect the industry’s reputation. However, he recommended setting a practical implementation roadmap, especially for new technical indicators, so that businesses have time to adapt. He also suggested aligning standards with those of key export markets to facilitate trade.

Tran Si Dung, Chairman of Yen Binh Trading and Investment Co., Ltd., commended the MoIT’s careful and thorough approach, saying that the proposed standards are appropriate and do not impose excessive technological or financial burdens on enterprises.

Representatives from ministries, associations, and companies contributed further feedback on definitions, scope, safety and quality criteria, and implementation timelines.

In his closing remarks, Deputy Director General Nguyen Viet Tan appreciated all constructive inputs, affirming that the MoIT will compile and respond to the feedback, refine the draft, and continue collecting broader opinions before officially issuing the national technical regulation on cassava starch.