As you know, the issue of mineral oil contamination in food products in the EU is of great concern. We are receiving more and more questions from customers about MOAH/MOSH in cashews. Some of our customers in Germany are testing regularly and the results are at different levels. As a major importer of cashews from Vietnam to the EU/UK, Freeworld Trading needs to be aware of any risks or results of mineral oil contamination investigations so that we can proactively address customer concerns.” Immediately after receiving the email, realizing that this was a very important issue, related to product quality and the reputation of the Vietnamese Cashew industry brand; the Chairman of VINACAS directed the Board of Directors and VINACAS Office to gather a number of experts in Cashew industry equipment and technology, conduct surveys at a number of cashew processing enterprises to examine the actual situation of cashew kernels contaminated with mineral oil; from there, advise VINACAS to make recommendations on appropriate handling methods. The Office would like to send the content of Official Dispatch No. 83/CV-HHĐ dated August 18, 2025 of the Vietnam Cashew Association for members to refer to and implement. The content of the dispatch is as follows: On August 13, 2025, the Vietnam Cashew Association (VINACAS) received an email from a representative of Freeworld Trading Ltd with the following content: “As you know, the issue of mineral oil contamination in food products in the EU is of great concern. We are receiving more and more questions from customers about MOAH/MOSH in cashew nuts. Some of our customers in Germany are testing periodically and the results are at different levels. As a major importer of cashew nuts from Vietnam to the EU/UK, Freeworld Trading needs to be aware of any risks or results of mineral oil contamination investigations so that we can proactively address customer concerns." Immediately after receiving the email, realizing that this is a very important issue, related to product quality and the reputation of the Vietnamese Cashew industry brand; The Chairman of VINACAS has directed the Board of Directors and the VINACAS Office to gather a number of experts in equipment and technology of the Cashew industry, conduct surveys at a number of cashew processing enterprises to examine the actual situation of cashew kernels contaminated with mineral oil; from there, advise VINACAS to make recommendations on appropriate treatment methods. After the survey, the experts found that: No cases of mineral oil contamination have been detected in newly processed cashew kernels in the 2025 crop. No business intentionally pollutes its products with mineral oil because they are aware of the consequences of this problem to the survival of their own business. However, experts also stated: Mineral oil contamination may occur during the processing and storage of products; during the maintenance, repair, and cleaning of machinery, equipment, and tools; during the use of containers, storage tools, and storage of raw materials, semi-finished products, and finished products, etc. if there are any errors in these stages. In addition, the import of low-quality cashew nuts with remaining silk shells from some African countries for reprocessing before export by some businesses may also be one of the reasons due to the inability to control mineral oil contamination from the processing stages or the stages of storage, transportation, and import into Vietnam. From the assessments and advice of experts, VINACAS recommends that businesses must control the sources of mineral oil contamination, specifically: 1. Correctly implement the procedures and regulations in HACCP 2. Retrain staff and workers on cashew processing procedures; procedures and techniques for maintenance, cleaning of machinery, equipment and tools in cashew processing. 3. Use suitable detergents of clear origin, with ingredients that ensure food hygiene and safety requirements according to Vietnamese standards or according to the standards of the importing country. 4. Control the use of containers, containers; tools for preserving and storing raw materials, semi-finished products and finished products during processing, storage and circulation must ensure that they are made from raw materials that meet food hygiene and safety requirements. 5. Particularly for cashews imported from some African countries: Enterprises need to be careful, carefully check the production line, equipment and processing, preservation and storage procedures... to ensure that there is no mineral oil contamination and that the origin is clear before signing a product import contract. If you cannot check, you should not import the goods. Especially, you should absolutely not import low quality cashew nuts or cashew nuts with remaining silk shells. To ensure product quality, free from mineral oil contamination; thereby enhancing the reputation of businesses and the Vietnamese Cashew industry, VINACAS recommends that interested businesses follow the above recommendations.