Many violations discovered in the production and trading of functional foods

During the inspection and examination of functional foods on the market, authorities discovered a series of serious violations.

During the inspection and examination of functional foods on the market, authorities discovered a series of serious violations.

Many serious violations were discovered.

Violations are mainly the production of counterfeit products, including counterfeiting of quality, brand and origin. This situation is posing many challenges for the management and protection of consumer health.

During the inspection and examination of functional foods on the market, authorities discovered a series of serious violations.

According to statistics from the Ministry of Health , from 2022 to present, 24,643 health protection foods have been granted registration certificates, of which 84.7% are domestically produced products.

In addition, the Ministry of Health has also issued 201 Certificates of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) - this is the first standard applied by Vietnam in the ASEAN region for health protection foods.

In addition, the Ministry of Health has issued 6,653 Certificates of Advertising Content, and transferred information about 95 violating products to the Ministry of Information and Communications, and 92 violating products to the Ministry of Industry and Trade for handling according to its authority.

The Ministry has also directed localities to conduct inspections, checks, and post-inspections of functional food production and trading establishments.

During the inspection, 126 violations were detected with a total fine of VND 16,858 billion. In localities, authorities inspected 941,836 establishments, of which 85,551 establishments violated the law, and administratively sanctioned 20,881 establishments with a total fine of VND 123,841 billion.

The violations mainly involve the production of functional foods that are counterfeit in terms of quality, brand, and origin.

Faced with this situation, the Ministry of Health has sent documents to the People's Committees of provinces and cities, requesting to strengthen the management of functional food advertising and closely monitor product introduction seminars.

The Ministry of Health requests the People's Committees of provinces/cities to direct relevant agencies to monitor the content of functional food advertisements and strictly handle cases of false advertisements or advertisements that do not match the approved content.

The Ministry also called on people to only buy functional food products when they really need them, use them according to instructions, and not believe in baseless word-of-mouth information.

In addition, the Ministry of Health has requested the public disclosure of information about violating establishments and violating products on mass media in accordance with the law, in order to increase transparency and protect consumer rights.

Propose a strict solution

During the recent question-and-answer session of the National Assembly, many delegates expressed concern about the widespread availability of counterfeit products on the market.

Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan emphasized that the current legal system has basically met management needs, including the Food Safety Law, Inspection Law, Penal Code, and regulations on administrative sanctions.

The Ministry of Health has also cooperated with the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Steering Committee 389, and the Ministry of Information and Communications to manage sales websites and rectify illegal advertising.

Minister Dao Hong Lan said that if functional foods are produced to standards, this will be an advantage for export, as Vietnam has currently exported this product to more than 30 countries, including vitamins.

Despite many corrective measures, violations related to advertising on social networks remain a major challenge. These websites often have servers located abroad, making it difficult for management agencies to control and handle.

Minister Dao Hong Lan proposed stricter measures, including banning entry and exit for violating businesses.

The Ministry of Health has also built a website for the Food Safety Department to provide transparent information, helping consumers easily look up qualified products.

The strengthening of inspection, supervision and strict handling of violations is showing the drastic efforts of the Ministry of Health in the management of functional foods.

However, to thoroughly resolve this situation, close coordination between ministries, branches and raising consumer awareness is needed.

Source: https://baodautu.vn/phat-hien-nhieu-vi-pham-trong-san-xuat-kinh-doanh-thuc-pham-chuc-nang-d230041.html