Strictly regulate the milk market.

The discovery of a large-scale fake milk production ring has been attracting significant public attention in recent days. Many consumers have expressed concern and anxiety about the current situation where genuine and counterfeit milk products are mixed together in the market. To protect public health, the inspection and control of milk products need to be implemented decisively and comprehensively.

City market management forces are stepping up inspections and controls of the milk market. Photo: Provided by the agency.

The Ministry of Public Security has just dismantled a case involving the production and sale of counterfeit milk at Rance Pharma International Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company and Hacofood Group Nutrition Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company. Authorities determined that the network, run by the defendants, produced 573 different brands of powdered milk intended for people with diabetes, kidney failure, premature babies, and pregnant women, generating nearly 500 billion VND in profits. The suspects omitted some raw materials and replaced or added several additives. Police determined that the powdered milk had quality indicators for some substances below 70% of the declared levels, making it eligible to be classified as counterfeit.

When information about counterfeit milk powder became widely publicized, many consumers began to check the products they were using. Mr. Nguyen Sang (Hoa Vang district) recently discovered that he had been using counterfeit milk for the past month. “I chose this milk because it was advertised as a product from a large company, suitable for the elderly, with guaranteed quality and inspection certificates. I bought this box of milk for 500,000 VND, and I have now completely stopped drinking it. I hope there are no dangerous chemicals in the milk. From now on, I will only choose large, reputable brands to ensure my health and safety,” Mr. Sang said.

Meanwhile, on social media groups, the topic of formula milk has attracted much discussion among parents who feed their babies with formula. Many expressed confusion and uncertainty about which brand to use to ensure quality. According to many mothers, the current milk market has hundreds of brands, and many types of milk have similar names, making it easy to get confused. Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoa (Hai Chau district) said that she has always used formula milk for her baby since birth. "Every time I buy milk for my child, I read and research the information, carefully checking the barcode and anti-counterfeit seal. However, with real and fake milk mixed together like this, even the most careful consumers can easily buy counterfeit products because it's very difficult to distinguish between the real and fake ones," Ms. Hoa shared.

According to the Department of Domestic Market Management and Development ( Ministry of Industry and Trade ), the reason why a large quantity of counterfeit products have been circulating in the market for a long time without being detected is because businesses have been able to evade detection by carrying out complete business procedures and paperwork in accordance with current laws to cover up violations; the products can only be detected through testing; and there have been no consumer complaints about violations that would warrant sample testing.

These businesses choose to sell their products outside of official supermarket, dealer, or controlled retail chains, primarily through direct marketing and sales to consumers by infiltrating and disguising their products at specialized seminars, hospitals, and clinics. In addition, these businesses hire celebrities, actors, and models with social and online influence to advertise and sell directly to consumers through social media channels, thus evading and hindering the monitoring and inspection efforts of relevant authorities.

To proactively prevent the production, trading, and consumption of counterfeit milk in Da Nang city, on April 17th, the Da Nang Market Management Department (under the Department of Industry and Trade) issued a document requesting its subordinate market management teams to strengthen their management of their respective areas, monitor the business situation of milk products within their jurisdiction, and proactively coordinate with relevant functional agencies to conduct surprise inspections when detecting cases showing signs of violations related to the trading of counterfeit milk, milk of unknown origin, smuggled milk, etc. Simultaneously, they are to coordinate with functional agencies in the city (Department of Health , Food Safety Management Board, etc.) to inspect food production and business establishments; and intensify inspections of the circulation and distribution of milk products through retail channels, small-scale stores, grocery stores, supermarkets, and agencies in the city, as well as sales channels via social media platforms such as Facebook, Zalo, and TikTok.

Through inspection and control activities, combined with public awareness campaigns targeting businesses and residents in the city, people are advised not to buy or sell milk products of unknown origin or smuggled milk. Authorities also recommend that to avoid buying counterfeit milk, people should choose to buy milk from reputable sources such as supermarkets and stores with clear origins and complete invoices; and check labels, origin, and expiration dates.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh signed and issued Official Dispatch No. 40/CD-TTG dated April 17, 2025, on handling the production and distribution of counterfeit milk. Accordingly, the Prime Minister requested the Ministry of Industry and Trade to strengthen market management, promptly detect, prevent, and strictly handle acts of producing and trading counterfeit food, including counterfeit milk. The People's Committees of provinces and centrally-governed cities are directed to focus on reviewing and inspecting compliance with regulations on ensuring food safety for milk products in their areas, and strictly handle violations in accordance with regulations.

TRAN TRUC

Source: https://baodanang.vn/kinhte/202504/quan-ly-chat-che-thi-truong-sua-4005715/