The unpredictable danger of fake food

Food is an essential source of human life. However, when the market appears more and more fake and poor quality food products, especially functional foods and nutritional milk, the danger to public health has appeared every day, every hour, right in every family.

In Quang Ninh , recently, the authorities have discovered and handled a number of cases related to fake food, notably the recall of 12 fake nutritional milk powder products consumed in a number of localities. These products do not have product declaration acceptance numbers, are of unknown origin, and have labels showing signs of counterfeiting famous brands. The above behavior not only seriously violates the law on food safety, but also poses a potential risk to the health of consumers, especially children and pregnant women.

COLOS IQ FOR MUM dietary supplement, one of 12 counterfeit products recalled according to document No. 1686/SYT-NVY of Quang Ninh Department of Health . Photo: Internet

The Department of Health recommends that people should not use 72 milk products of Rance Pharma International Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company and Hacofood Nutrition Joint Stock Company because the investigation is continuing until the final conclusion of the police agency.

Sharing about this incident, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh (Group 4, Zone 5, Hong Hai Ward, Ha Long City) expressed her concern: “As a consumer, I am very confused when hearing the news of fake milk, especially in the context that many families with young children, the elderly or the sick have to use milk every day. Milk is an essential food, directly related to health, and now it is being counterfeited, which is very dangerous. We really hope that the authorities will increase inspections, strictly handle violators, and at the same time guide people on how to distinguish real and fake milk more clearly.”

Faced with the increasing situation of fake foods, especially fake powdered milk, the Department of Health has requested the People's Committees of districts, towns and cities to direct functional units in the area to review, inspect and recall all 12 food and nutritional products (in the form of powdered milk) that are fake if found.   currently on the market and handle it according to the provisions of law, and at the same time send a report on the handling results to the Department of Health through the Department of Food Safety and Hygiene before May 15, 2025 for synthesis and reporting to the Provincial People's Committee and the Ministry of Health .

The health sector has strengthened inter-sectoral inspection and examination, closely coordinating with market management forces, police, customs, health, etc. to review, trace origins and strictly handle violations. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, the province inspected more than 150 establishments trading in functional foods, cosmetics and medicines, many of which were found to have signs of violations in labeling, storage conditions and false advertising.

Quang Ninh Health Department inspects the management, sale and use of drugs and functional foods at business and trading units in the area. Photo: Thanh Nga

Consumers need to be vigilant, only buy goods from reputable establishments with clear invoices and documents; carefully check labels, registration numbers, expiry dates, barcodes and manufacturer information. When detecting unusual signs, it is necessary to immediately notify the authorities for timely handling.

The Health Department recommends to the people: When choosing to buy functional foods, nutritional milk or health-related products, it is necessary to prioritize buying at reputable establishments, with legal business licenses, and clear invoices and documents. Consumers should carefully check product labels, manufacturer information, expiry date, barcode, product declaration number; avoid buying products floating on social networks or from unclear sources. When detecting unusual signs in products, people need to proactively report to the authorities for timely handling, avoiding consequences for the community.

Counterfeit food is a “silent danger” because the consequences do not occur immediately but smolder, accumulate, and cause long-term damage to health. To protect themselves and their families, people need to be alert and proactive in their consumption choices; at the same time, functional sectors need to continue to perform well their role in monitoring, managing, and thoroughly handling violations, not allowing counterfeit goods to appear on the market.

Hoai Minh

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/hiem-hoa-khon-luong-tu-thuc-pham-gia-3356689.html