VIỆN KIỂM NGHIỆM AN TOÀN VỆ SINH THỰC PHẨM QUỐC GIA

As the national reference laboratory for food testing in Vietnam, the National Institute for Food Control (NIFC) has been assigned by the Ministry of Health to serve as the focal point for providing technical direction and professional guidance to the national food quality and safety testing system. To strengthen its capacity in this role, NIFC has signed a cooperation agreement with AOAC INTERNATIONAL, aiming to enhance testing capability, promote standardization, and advance other activities related to food analysis.

AOAC INTERNATIONAL is an independent and globally recognized organization with over 140 years of experience in developing validated analytical methods and establishing reliable scientific standards. It brings together scientists, regulators, and industry experts to support standardization efforts that ensure the quality and safety of food and related products.

Under the Ministry of Health, NIFC functions as Vietnam’s national reference institution for food safety. Its responsibilities include conducting testing, verification, and risk assessment, while providing scientific evidence to support policy development and alignment with international standards. Equipped with modern laboratories, advanced analytical techniques, and a team of experienced experts, NIFC plays a vital role in safeguarding public health in Vietnam.

Memorandum of Understanding between NIFC and AOAC

On August 22, 2025, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between the two institutions, marking an important step forward in strengthening scientific cooperation in food testing and method standardization. This MOU establishes a framework for long-term collaboration between AOAC INTERNATIONAL and the National Institute for Food Control (NIFC). The cooperation will focus on several key areas:

• Method development and validation: NIFC staff will have faster and more accurate access to AOAC’s official method database.
• Expanding research collaboration: AOAC INTERNATIONAL will support NIFC experts in joining research groups and scientific communities in Southeast Asia and across Asia.
• Enhancing research capacity and contributing to method development: NIFC will actively participate in research and the development of new analytical methods, while also contributing to the formulation of AOAC standards and associated SMPRs.
• Information exchange and networking: NIFC will serve as a bridge to facilitate communication between AOAC INTERNATIONAL and relevant stakeholders in Vietnam, while also taking an active role in AOAC INTERNATIONAL and AOAC SEA (Southeast Asia) standardization activities.

In line with the principles outlined in the MOU, NIFC has nominated two experts from the Department of Toxicology and Allergens and the Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment to attend the AOAC Annual Meeting & Exposition 2025. Their participation aims to strengthen expertise, broaden knowledge, and stay updated on emerging issues in food analysis.

Scenes from meetings and scientific exchanges at the AOAC Annual Meeting

During the sessions, NIFC experts had the opportunity to explore several breakthrough analytical technologies, including:

• High-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS): Presented as an effective tool for screening and identifying contaminants, pesticide residues, and mycotoxins with high sensitivity and accuracy.
• PFAS analysis: Discussions focused on the development of standardized methods for analyzing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in consumer products and food packaging, an issue of growing health concern.
• Heavy metal analysis: The conference introduced new approaches to improve risk assessment and monitoring of heavy metals in food, particularly through the application of techniques such as liquid chromatography coupled with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HPLC-ICP-MS), which enables the determination of metal species in addition to total concentrations.

NIFC staffs at AOAC 2025 Annual Meeting

NIFC staff actively participated in scientific discussions, poster sessions, and exhibitions during the AOAC 2025 Annual Meeting. This participation provided valuable opportunities to learn about globally recognized analytical methods, thereby strengthening the laboratory capacity in Vietnam. These methods will enable NIFC to enhance food quality and safety monitoring, align with international standards, and contribute to protecting public health. The knowledge gained will also serve as a foundation for developing more accurate and efficient testing procedures in the future.

The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding with AOAC INTERNATIONAL is also consistent with Vietnam’s strategic orientation to improve its food safety management system in line with international standards. With this milestone, the National Institute for Food Control reaffirms its shared vision: building a food safety system grounded in science, collaboration, and global integration.

Prepared by: Vu Thi Thanh An – Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment