Independent certification – The basis for consumers to choose powdered milk

Following the news from the press, Ms. TL (33 years old, Hai Duong ) could not help but be confused when she saw the name of the milk brand her child was using on the list of fake milk that the authorities had just announced. "I lost sleep because I did not know how fake milk affects my child's health," she confided.

According to Buzzmetrics, there were more than 12,000 discussions on the topic of “fake milk” on social media platforms after 4 days of the incident being discovered. Most of them were shares and reflections from parents who accidentally bought poor quality products. In that context, the milk market needs an objective evaluation mechanism, acting as a “filter” for consumers to put their trust in the right place.

The importance of independent certification

The existence of non-profit organizations specializing in food quality inspection is quite common in developed countries such as the US and Europe. Inspection conditions are built on strict regulations on controlling residues of contaminants in food.

One of the prestigious independent organizations is the Clean Label Project (USA) with the Purity Award - a prestigious certification of product safety and purity. To achieve this award, powdered milk products must pass more than 400 strict criteria on quality and production conditions, ensuring no pesticide residues, heavy metals (lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic), industrial chemicals (BPA, BPS, Phthalates).

These are compounds that pose potential health risks, impact the nervous system and cause endocrine disorders in children. In developed countries, printing independent certification labels on packaging is an indicator that the product is safe enough for consumers' health.

Faced with the news of fake milk, few Vietnamese consumers pay attention to the purity aspect when buying milk for their children, mainly comparing the quantity of ingredients. However, leading Vietnamese manufacturers such as Vinamilk have never taken this standard lightly.

In 2022, Vinamilk's Optimum Gold brand appeared on the Clean Label Project website with the introduction line "The first Asian brand to win the Purity Award". By early 2023, the company's entire remaining infant formula lines such as Dielac, YokoGold, Optimum Colos (formerly ColosGold)... were also awarded the Purity Award. This is a good sign for the Vietnamese dairy industry as the previously recognized brand portfolio mostly comes from the US and Europe.

Jaclyn Bowen, CEO of the Clean Label Project, said consumers are increasingly demanding quality and transparency in product information, especially in baby food. This is a group that needs more attention in terms of quality standards and safety.

“The awards are given by the Clean Label Project to brands whose products focus on the purity of ingredients. Therefore, we highly appreciate the efforts and positivity of businesses like Vinamilk in setting higher standards for milk products for children," she affirmed.

The “ key” to making pure milk

The path to independent certification is not without its difficulties, with a series of strict criteria. Among them, asynchronous production lines and lack of closure will create "gaps" for impurities to penetrate the milk.

In Vietnam, Vinamilk's powdered milk factory in VSIP 1 Industrial Park ( Binh Duong ) always ensures the criteria of synchronization and closure. As the only company that owns its own drying tower in Vietnam, Vinamilk is self-sufficient in drying nutrients, meaning it does not depend on suppliers and can proactively control the purity of input materials.

The drying tower capacity in Vinamik's factory can provide milk rations for millions of children every day.

The drying tower capacity in Vinamik's factory can provide milk rations for millions of children every day.

Milk powder is mixed and poured into cans in a completely sterile environment, equivalent to hospital operating room standards. Vinamilk also independently rolls cans and prints packaging, all automated in a synchronized production line, always with UV sterilization.

In fact, according to Vinamilk, ordering tin cans from outside suppliers poses a risk of poor quality, not to mention that the transportation process to the factory can become a “gap” for the environment and humidity to affect the packaging, indirectly affecting the quality of the milk. Self-production of cans and packaging is an important factor for Vinamilk to control the risk of bacterial contamination and metal contamination back into the milk.

Automated production segment at Vinamilk's Vietnam powdered milk factory.

Recently, Vinamilk opened its factory to welcome consumers to visit. Here, they have the opportunity to see, hear, and verify the company's closed production line.

“Entering the factory, I didn’t see many workers because most of the processes are automated. The air here has no smell, proving that the production line is completely closed. One glance is worth more than a thousand advertisements,” said Mr. KH (36 years old, Ho Chi Minh City).

Trust is built on transparency

In a context where information and advertising are prevalent online, consumers are increasingly wary of general “clean” and “safe” claims, especially in the infant nutrition industry. Instead, they tend to look for brands with authentic data, clear processes, and third-party verification.

From the consumer’s perspective, factors such as international certification, public processes, and independent periodic inspections are not only “added value” but also become necessary criteria for making purchasing decisions. Understanding that need, the strategy of investing in raw materials, transparent production processes, and international standards helps Vinamilk maintain trust in the context of the dairy industry facing a “crisis of trust”. This is also the brand’s effort to contribute to raising consumer awareness, affirming the importance of placing higher requirements on quality control when choosing products for children.

Consumers enjoy cans of pure milk just "out of the oven" in the factory.

Ms. TL - the mother from Hai Duong in the first story - decided to switch to Dielac after learning about the quality and inspection information. "I am very happy that my child cooperates with the new milk, and I am also happy that I do not have to worry about the product quality," she confided.

NL

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/chung-nhan-doc-lap--can-cu-de-nguoi-tieu-dung-lua-chon-sua-bot-248915.htm