The route of smuggled MSG into Vietnam.
Vietnamese people have long favored goods originating from Thailand and Japan. Therefore, upon its introduction to Vietnam, the "The Spoon" brand MSG, manufactured in Thailand by THAI FERMENTATION IND. CO.,LTD., quickly gained popularity among consumers.
After being produced in Thailand, MSG under the "The Spoon" brand is transported to Laos, from where it is smuggled across the border between Vietnam and Laos, and then transported by road to markets in the Vietnamese domestic market for consumption.
The smuggled MSG packaging bearing the "The Spoon" brand lacks any information in Vietnamese regarding its origin, labeling, ingredients, or expiration date.
After a relatively quiet period, MSG under the "Spoon" brand is showing signs of resurgence in many major wholesale markets in the Central region, such as Dong Ba, An Cuu, and Phu Bai markets in Hue; Dong Ha and Dien Sanh markets in Quang Tri ; and Cong Doan and Dong Hoi markets in Quang Binh... Here, this smuggled product with a foreign label is very popular despite its higher price compared to genuine domestically produced MSG, at about 5,000 VND per 500g packet.
There is no Vietnamese information on the packaging of "Cái Muỗng" MSG for consumers to check the ingredients, expiration date, etc.
A health hazard for consumers.
According to nutrition experts, smuggled MSG, MSG of unknown origin, counterfeit or imitation products do not guarantee food safety and hygiene and always pose a potential risk to the health of consumers.
Regarding this type of smuggled MSG, Dr. Tran Thi Kim Chi, Head of the Nutrition Department at Gia Dinh People's Hospital, stated: "The immediate harm to consumers' health is acute poisoning or allergic reactions from the impure ingredients in smuggled MSG products. Consumers may experience symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal pain shortly after consumption."
Even more dangerous, the hidden part of the iceberg that we are unaware of is long-term chronic poisoning, which can affect vital organs in the body, leading to liver failure, kidney failure, or even, over many years, the accumulation of toxic and harmful chemicals that are carcinogenic, increasing the risk of cancer.
Despite posing numerous health risks to consumers, smuggled MSG is still being openly sold in many markets in Central Vietnam.
This type of MSG is imported into Vietnam through unofficial channels, which not only fails to generate tax revenue for the state but also negatively impacts legitimate businesses.
To prevent this situation, it requires the joint efforts of not only government agencies and domestic manufacturers but also consumers themselves.
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/bot-ngot-lau-loi-bat-cap-hai-20240624154325721.htm
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