In 2024, Vietnam recorded the highest number of spice-related safety warnings in Europe, with cases increasing seven times higher than in 2023, according to the Vietnam Pepper and Spice Association (VPSA).
The European Union (EU) issued 77 warnings on imported pepper and spices from various origins — a slight decrease of two cases compared to 2023. Of these, Vietnam accounted for 21 cases, making it the most frequently cited country.
Breakdown of EU Spice Safety Alerts
In 2024, the EU recorded the following spice alerts:
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Chili peppers: 35 cases
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Cinnamon: 12 cases
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Pepper: 8 cases
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Nutmeg: 8 cases
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Ginger: 5 cases
Among these, Vietnam’s 21 warnings included:
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11 cases related to chili,
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7 cases involving cinnamon, of which 3 were due to excessive lead residues,
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1 case involving pepper contaminated with Salmonella.
India ranked second with 16 cases, followed by Indonesia (8) and China (4).
Rising U.S. Alerts on Imported Spices
The United States also saw a significant rise in spice-related warnings in 2024. According to VPSA, the U.S. issued 481 alerts, up 39.4% (136 cases) compared to 2023, covering:
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49 cases for pepper,
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37 for cinnamon,
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34 for chili.
Vietnamese spices exported to the U.S. recorded 15 warnings, including 6 for cinnamon, which was three times higherthan in 2023 (2 cases).
Strengthening Quality Control and Compliance
The surge in food safety alerts reflects growing scrutiny from major markets such as the EU and the U.S. on residue levels, microbial contamination, and traceability standards.
To sustain export growth and meet stricter import requirements, Vietnamese spice producers and exporters are urged to:
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Enhance production traceability and quality control,
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Adopt international food safety certifications (HACCP, ISO, BRC, etc.),
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Strengthen coordination with importers to meet EU and U.S. residue limits,
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Invest in clean and sustainable spice processing technologies.
These measures are essential to protect Vietnam’s spice reputation and ensure stable access to high-value markets.