LTS: In recent days, fake milk has become a hot topic, attracting special attention in society after the Ministry of Public Security informed about the case of producing and trading fake milk at Rance Pharma International Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company and Hacofood Group Nutrition Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company. These are no longer ordinary illegal business cases but acts of poisoning consumers' health through food in the name of nutrition.
Dangerous problem
The discovery of nearly 600 counterfeit brands of various types of powdered milk for people with diabetes, kidney failure, premature babies and pregnant women has shocked and angered consumers nationwide at the increasingly painful problem of fake food in society.
The problem of fake milk not only harms people's health, it also affects and causes losses to the global economy , directly affecting social trust and business ethics.
The Ministry of Public Security's investigation police agency has dismantled a large-scale fake milk powder ring. Photo: Provided by the police
Decree 15/2018/ND-CP detailing the implementation of a number of articles of the Law on Food Safety clearly states that functional foods are regulated into 4 groups (supplementary foods, health protection foods, medical nutritional foods, foods for special diets), in which the group of supplementary foods can be self-declared.
This policy is considered a positive reform step, aiming to reduce administrative procedures and create conditions for businesses to operate more flexibly and proactively in production and business. However, many cases have taken advantage of this to produce and trade poor quality products, labeled as "premium powdered milk", "nutritional products"... and then advertised in an exaggerated manner, deceiving consumers.
In 4 years, nearly 600 brands of fake milk powder with advertisements such as: containing bird's nest, cordyceps... were widely consumed, even appearing in some hospitals where people put a lot of trust, but no samples were taken for testing, no inspection was conducted.
Not only that, the fake milk products are also widely available on social networks, being advertised by a number of celebrities and medical experts. The question is, where is the responsibility of the management agencies when a series of products of unknown quality can flood the market, for such a long time?
Ho Chi Minh City seized 2,654 boxes of milk violating regulations.
At a press conference on the socio-economic situation of Ho Chi Minh City held on the afternoon of April 24, Mr. Nguyen Quang Huy, Deputy Head of the Ho Chi Minh City Market Management Department, said that so far, market management teams in the city have not discovered any cases showing signs of producing or trading fake milk.
From 2024 to the first quarter of 2025, the Ho Chi Minh City Market Management force inspected and handled 590 violations related to food.
Regarding milk products alone, 7 cases were discovered with a total of 2,654 boxes of various types of milk and 40 kg of powdered milk, worth more than 188 million VND; the violations were mainly trading in smuggled goods, goods of unknown origin, and expired goods.
Urgent need to "patch" management loopholes
Counterfeit, smuggled, and tax-evading goods are extremely dangerous problems that directly affect people and are widely advertised on social networks, causing voters and many people to be upset. In fact, in the past 4 years, no one has checked the milk products and the quality of the milk.
The case of nearly 600 types of fake milk being smuggled into the market for a long time is not only a warning bell about loopholes in management but also raises the issue of the need for close coordination between ministries and branches; the synchronization between the legal framework, enforcement mechanism and responsibility of businesses - influential individuals (KOLs) and consumers.
At the same time, it is necessary to have the participation and close supervision of the whole society to prevent similar incidents. Specifically, the authorities need to stipulate mandatory clinical research, especially for products for children under 6 years old or sick people. For imported milk products, it is necessary to require a circulation license and safety assessment from the country of origin, instead of relying solely on a certificate of free circulation.
In addition, it is necessary to strictly manage marketing, advertising and post-inspection activities; increase random post-inspection, especially for milk products for children and the elderly - very sensitive and vulnerable groups...
We need to take strong action against inhumane acts and profiteering regardless of the health of the community with very strict penalties such as increasing the prison term for individuals who produce and trade in counterfeit food, food additives, etc.
However, no matter how severe the sentence or punishment, it cannot redeem what those who produce and trade in counterfeit food and foodstuffs have caused, because it is an unconscionable act, a poisoning of human health, especially of those who should be protected.
Dr. LUU NGAN TAM, President of the Vietnam Association of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition:
The risk of fake milk "copying" real milk formula
The big risk is that businesses can copy the formula of a reputable milk brand, put it in the product registration file, then self-publish and participate in bidding for hospitals.
In cases where the profile and formula of the copy product and the genuine product are similar, when participating in the same bidding, the copy product can win the bid because of its lower price. This is a loophole that is beyond the control of the hospital that we have long noticed.
Therefore, before putting dairy products into bidding, professional advice from the nutrition department leader is very important.
The department's leaders will review the reputation of the dairy enterprises participating in bidding domestically or internationally (with foreign enterprises); consider whether the product has a nutritional formula that complies with standard recommendations on clinical nutrition or not.
Doctors will prioritize reputable, long-standing brands with formulas suitable for patients. Many new milk brands with strange names often contact us, but obviously, in terms of reputation, reputation, and longevity, we will refuse. The more rigorous and thorough the initial inspection is, the lower the risk of poor quality products entering the bidding process.
Dr. HA ANH DUC, Director of the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management (Ministry of Health):
Direct impact on patient health
The appearance of fake milk products produced by milk companies in some medical facilities is a very painful problem, directly affecting the health of patients.
The Ministry of Health has been requiring hospitals to review all use of dairy products, including the time of use, the users, and ensure traceability of patients who have used the products.
If a health problem arises related to milk, the medical facility must be responsible for advising and supporting the patient.
THANH AN - GIAO LINH recorded
Associate Professor, Doctor, Pharmacist PHAM KHANH PHONG LAN, Director of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Food Safety
Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/sua-gia-he-luy-that-siet-khau-phan-loai-va-cap-phep-sua-post792546.html
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