400 tests, 200 inspections: Vinamilk resets Vietnamese fresh milk standards

International certification: from “clean” to “transparent”

For many years, the criteria of “clean” or “premium” in the dairy industry have often been understood based on emotions – beautiful packaging, big brands or taste sensations. However, new consumer trends are forcing businesses to prove it with data and certifications. Today’s consumers are not only interested in whether milk is “delicious” or not, but also want to know clearly: how the cows are raised, how the grass is grown, are there any chemicals or antibiotic residues?

Green Farm is the only fresh milk on the market that has won three international awards for Quality, Safety and Taste. Photo: VNM

Facing this wave, Vinamilk chose to take the long way: applying highly binding international certifications such as Clean Label Project (a US-based non-profit organization) - which tests more than 400 chemical indicators, residues and micronutrients in food. With Green Farm fresh milk products, Vinamilk is the first enterprise in Vietnam - and among the first in the world - to achieve this certification for fresh milk.

It is worth noting that many indicators in the Clean Label Project have safety thresholds that are 3 to 125 times stricter than Vietnamese standards. At the same time, this organization also tests factors that are not yet included in Vietnamese regulations, such as BPA, Phthalates or Acrylamide concentrations - substances that can affect hormones and long-term health. Choosing to "test at the highest level" even when the market does not require it shows how Vinamilk sets standards for itself before the market is forced to change.

Ms. Jaclyn Bowen - Executive Director of Clean Label Project, said: "Consumers are increasingly demanding quality and transparency of information about the products they trust and choose. Especially for food for children, because this is a group of people who need to pay more attention to quality standards and safety. The awards given by Clean Label Project are given to brands whose products focus on the purity of ingredients. Therefore, we highly appreciate the efforts and positivity of businesses like Vinamilk in always setting higher standards for milk products for children."

In addition to the Clean Label Project certification in the US, Green Farm has also been awarded the Gold Award by Monde Selection – a Belgium-based food quality assessment organization with a history of nearly 65 years. Every year, about 3,000 products from more than 90 countries are sent here for assessment.

To win the award, Green Farm milk underwent an independent evaluation with more than 200 tests, from visual, olfactory, gustatory to physical, chemical and microbiological composition. The jury included culinary experts, scientists and technicians from many European countries. As a result, Green Farm achieved the required score to be awarded the Gold Award - the highest rating in this organization's scoring system.

Building a standard ecosystem – instead of just being “better than others”

Achieving international certifications requires not only technology but also an ecosystem operating according to standards. This is the reason why Vinamilk invested in the Green Farm ecological farm system since 2021, with a total investment of 130 million USD. Currently, there are 4 Green Farm farms in operation, of which 3 farms meet Global GAP standards and 1 farm meets European Organic standards.

Dairy cows being cared for in a pure natural environment is a prerequisite to creating Green Farm's "5 No" standard milk source. Photo: VNM

These farms are planned to control inputs from land, water to animal feed. The land is “rested” for three years to regenerate fertility and remove chemical residues. The cows are fed grass and organic seeds, without antibiotics, growth hormones or reproductive stimulants – factors that can directly affect milk quality. Thanks to that, Green Farm fresh milk products are announced to meet the “5 No” standard: no growth hormones, no pesticide residues, no heavy metal residues, no preservatives and no pesticides.

In addition, the unique flavor of Green Farm fresh milk is also created by carefully adjusting the diet for each individual cow, combining 20 types of grass and seeds of natural origin. After that, Vinamilk applied dual vacuum technology to production to help Green Farm products retain flavor and nutrients without preservatives. The combination of human factors and technology has helped Green Farm achieve the "Superior Taste Awards", which is considered the "Michelin star" of the food industry.

Pioneering dual vacuum technology in Vietnam with Vinamilk's investment to produce Green Farm fresh milk.

Not “playing on emotions”, but setting new standards for the market

The current fresh milk market is still competing mainly through communication, emotional positioning and promotional programs. In that context, Vinamilk's choice to invest in highly scientific standards is a less noisy move but creates a strong ripple effect. Once consumers have formed the concept that "fresh milk standards must be independently tested and safety indexes must be published", the game in the market no longer revolves around advertising - but around data and product nature.

Sharing with the press, a Vinamilk representative said that the company's strategy is to "go one step ahead", proactively building standards instead of following market demands. This is the way for the company to control the quality of the entire chain, limit risks in management, and most importantly - strengthen consumer trust.

Vinamilk is shaping the future of the dairy industry in Vietnam. Photo: VNM

For a leading enterprise like Vinamilk, the question is no longer “how to be better than competitors”, but “how to lead the change in the industry”. When quality becomes a mandatory competitive factor, standardization is the only way to maintain long-term position, especially in the context of the increasingly tight legal corridor on food safety in Vietnam.

Green Farm is a prime example of a “roots-in” investment model – where standards are not window dressing, but a real, verifiable, and scalable operating system. As the FMCG industry enters a period of standards competition, those who choose to invest early may have a sustainable advantage over the next 5–10 years.

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Source: https://baonghean.vn/400-phep-thu-200-kiem-dinh-vinamilk-dat-lai-chuan-sua-tuoi-viet-10297321.html