Japan is inspecting virtually all shrimp imported from Vietnam for oxytetracycline (OTC) after the antibiotic was detected in two separate batches of shrimp in February and March 2014.

The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) has sent a letter of inquiry to the Directorate of Fisheries regarding the issue.

Earlier, Vietnamese shrimp was listed in Japan’s annual supervision program with two prohibited antibiotics namely Chloramphenicol (since February 21, 2014) and Oxytetracycline (since February 27, 2014).

The association has updated the information and asked local shrimp businesses to strengthen self-regulation of antibiotics in shrimp. VASEP has been asked to supervise and strengthen control over inputs and encourage businesses and shrimp breeders to do a better job of self-regulating the substances.