573 fake milk powder products distributed widely in Vietnam

The fake milk powder products were marketed toward vulnerable groups, including diabetics, people with kidney failure, premature infants, and pregnant women.

Outside hospitals, in remote areas, on e-commerce platforms

"I gave my husband fake milk right after his brain surgery," said T.H., reflecting on her experience after the operation was exposed.

At the end of 2024, her husband underwent surgery following an accident. "The first milk I gave him after he regained consciousness turned out to be fake," she said.

Amid the stress of the situation, she had no time to verify the product's origin and assumed that sellers outside the hospital understood patients' needs.

Fortunately, doctors soon recommended solid food, limiting his exposure. "If it had gone on longer, I don't know what might have happened," she added.

H.P., 38, from Lam Dong Province, said she had used these products for years, including Sure IQ Pedia Plus, sold by International Pharmaceutical Group JSC.

"They were available at local shops and even on major e-commerce platforms," she said. 

"Each box cost nearly VND500,000 [US$19.3], and the packaging looked very professional. We trusted it."

Parents worried over fake milk powder in schools

Following the operation's exposure, many parents began questioning the milk brands served in schools.

Though schools use a range of products, some parents have expressed concern over unfamiliar names.

In one parenting group on Facebook, a user asked about Khalac Grow, promoted as a nutritional milk for children aged one to five. 

The post drew hundreds of comments, with many warning that it was low quality or unsafe.

Users shared photos of milk their children had received at school, including brands like Findkost's Grow Plus, Vingo, SP Grow IQ, Shizu, Ellac Multi, Anilac Kinder Grow, Sukumilk Gold, Deli Kids, Nestilac, and Gigo Nutri Gold.

Although these brands were not directly linked to the counterfeit ring, their unfamiliarity alarmed parents.

According to the Ministry of Health, school milk programs must include 21 essential micronutrients and comply with regulations on labeling and product declarations.

Thanh Mai from Hanoi urged thorough reviews, fearing that some of the 573 fake products may have made their way into schools under falsified documentation.

Targeting vulnerable consumers

A senior oncologist in Ho Chi Minh City told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that patients, especially from rural areas, are often misled by exaggerated health claims surrounding milk and supplements.

Some even suspend medical treatment after being told that certain milk products can shrink tumors, often influenced by celebrity endorsements.

Fake products are commonly sold near hospitals and in retail shops, where real and fake items are hard to distinguish. 

The doctor called for tighter regulations and better enforcement to protect consumers.

Dr. Nguyen Trong Hung of the National Institute of Nutrition warned that counterfeit milk failing to meet even 70 percent of nutritional standards can have serious health consequences. 

Premature infants, pregnant women, and recovering patients need proper nutrition, and prolonged use of substandard products can result in severe deficiencies in vitamins, minerals, and energy.

Schools urged to choose reliable brands

An elementary school principal in Ho Chi Minh City told Tuoi Tre on Wednesday that the school only sources milk from well-known companies such as Vinamilk. 

Suppliers are selected each school year, and inspections are conducted by the Department of Health and the Department of Education and Training.

Mid-year inspections are also performed. If an unfamiliar brand is in use, schools are required to provide origin and quality certification to verify safety.

Luong Thi Hong Diep, head of preschool education at the city's Department of Education and Training, emphasized that schools must choose suppliers with clear, transparent origins. 

While schools can select from various vendors, she said they are encouraged to prioritize trusted and compliant brands.

Is there a legal loophole?

Nguyen Thanh Hai, head of the National Assembly's Committee for Deputy Affairs, questioned how 573 fake milk powder products could have been distributed so widely over four years.

She pointed out that regulatory responsibility appears unclear. The Ministry of Industry and Trade's Market Surveillance Agency claims to oversee general milk products, while those with added micronutrients fall under the Ministry of Health. 

The health ministry said oversight had already been delegated to local authorities.

"These products target the elderly, cancer patients, children, and pregnant women, and are often promoted by celebrities. If they're sold publicly, is there a legal gap?" Hai asked, urging a full review of the regulatory framework.

The Ministry of Public Security had previously busted the large-scale operation and arrested eight suspects.

They are being investigated for producing and selling counterfeit food and violating accounting laws with serious consequences.