U.S Asks 5 Pepper Firms in Vietnam to Halt Export

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has asked five pepper firms in Vietnam, including two foreign ones, to halt exports to the U.S. market before it gives the final decision.

FDA’s move is said to affect the Vietnam’s pepper export as the U.S. is the biggest importer.

A delegation from FDA is conducting inspection tours to pepper processing and exporting firms in Vietnam from April to Oct 2010, said Do Ha Nam, chairman of the Vietnam Pepper Association.

Earlier, FDA found that imported peppers contained salmonella agent which was suspected of causing stomachaches to several consumers in the Rhode Island state.

Vietnam exported 28,000 tons of pepper for $85 million in the first quarter of this year, with exports to the U.S. increasing 39.8% on year.

Pepper prices hit two-year record high in Vietnam at VND52,000/kg.

Tags: Vietnam Pepper, Vietnam pepper exports