Smuggled MSG is once again flooding into central Vietnam through border crossings.

According to information from market management agencies in Central Vietnam, smuggled MSG under the brand name "The Spoon" is continuing to appear in many wholesale markets in localities such as Dong Ha and Dien Sanh markets (Quang Tri), Dong Ba and An Cuu markets (Thua Thien Hue), and Cong Doan and Dong Hoi markets ( Quang Binh )...

There is no information in Vietnamese on the packaging.

This type of MSG, branded "The Spoon," is manufactured by THAI FERMENTATION IND. CO.,LTD. in Thailand and transported to Laos. From there, the "The Spoon" MSG is smuggled across the border between Vietnam and Laos, then transported by road to markets in Vietnam for consumption. The packaging of this smuggled "The Spoon" MSG lacks any information in Vietnamese regarding origin, labeling, ingredients, or expiration date, yet its price is not cheap compared to genuine domestically produced MSG, even costing about 5,000 VND more per 500g packet.

The packaging of smuggled MSG under the brand name "The Spoon" has no information in Vietnamese whatsoever.

However, due to the preference for foreign products among the people, this type of MSG is very popular in the central region. As a regular customer of the "The Spoon" brand MSG at Dien Sanh market, Ms. T. A. said that although she doesn't understand the words printed on the packaging, she still trusts it because "it's a Thai product."

Many potential health risks

According to nutrition experts, seasonings like MSG of unknown origin, illegally imported, and not inspected for quality by relevant authorities, can be harmful to consumers' health.

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 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 is the hidden part of the iceberg: chronic poisoning, which can affect vital organs, leading to liver failure, kidney failure, or even, over many years, the accumulation of toxic and harmful chemicals that can cause cancer ."

The quality of illegally produced MSG under the brand name "The Spoon" has not been inspected, yet it is still being sold openly.

Besides the smuggled "Spoon" brand MSG, counterfeit versions of this smuggled MSG are also appearing on the market. While smuggled MSG already doesn't meet food safety and hygiene standards, counterfeit versions pose even greater risks to consumer health.

Not only does smuggled MSG affect consumer health, but it also damages the national economy . Because this type of MSG is imported into Vietnam through unofficial channels, it neither guarantees tax revenue for the state nor harms legitimate businesses.

Source: https://congthuong.vn/bot-ngot-nhap-lau-lai-tran-ve-mien-trung-qua-cac-cua-khau-bien-gioi-327944.html