Uncertainty about counterfeit goods

Market management forces inspect a facility selling fertilizers and pesticides in Tuy An district. Photo: VO PH

Counterfeit goods are rampant

It can be said that the problem of counterfeit goods has never caused such a stir in public opinion as it does today. First of all, the Ministry of Public Security's Investigation Police Agency has broken up a ring that produced, traded, and consumed a huge amount of fake milk powder in Hanoi. Since the time of production, this ring has produced 573 brands of milk powder for people with diabetes, kidney failure, premature babies, and pregnant women, earning nearly 500 billion VND in revenue.

Next, the Economic Police Department of Thanh Hoa Province Police dismantled a large-scale fake pharmaceutical production and trading ring nationwide, arresting 14 subjects producing and trading fake disease prevention and treatment drugs. The total volume of fake pharmaceutical drugs and raw materials for making fake pharmaceutical drugs seized by the provincial police was nearly 10 tons. From 2021 until the arrest, this ring had sold a large amount of fake drugs to the market, with an estimated illegal profit of nearly 200 billion VND.

Recently, Nghe An Provincial Police discovered and eradicated a chemical-soaked bean sprout production line, issued a decision to prosecute the case, prosecute the accused and issue an order to temporarily detain 4 subjects who are the owners of 4 bean sprout production facilities for violating food safety regulations. The forces seized nearly 2,000 jars of various types of bean sprouts with a total weight of about 25 tons, 25 liters of pure "candy water" chemical solution ( scientific name is 6-Benzylaminopurine), 150 liters of mixed solution to serve the production of bean sprouts and some other related exhibits. The authorities determined that from 2024 to the time of arrest, the subjects had produced and sold 3,500 tons of finished bean sprouts using "candy water" to soak and water the bean sprouts.

These are serious violations related to counterfeit goods, discovered recently, making consumers worried and angry; alarming the problem of counterfeit goods and food that is becoming increasingly painful in society, greatly affecting the market and consumer psychology. “I often read newspapers and watch TV so I can update a lot of information about goods. When buying goods and food, I am always careful, carefully checking stamps, labels, expiry dates... to avoid buying counterfeit and poor quality goods. I personally think that there are still many risks of counterfeit and fake goods appearing on the market, but I am really shocked by the information about counterfeit goods in recent days”, Ms. Le Thi Xuan Ha in Binh Kien commune (Tuy Hoa city) confided.

Not only are consumers concerned about the impact of counterfeit goods on their health, they also raise the issue of management and supervision of production, business activities, and the market for goods... Mr. Hoang Van Y in Ward 9 (Tuy Hoa City) is worried: Now, every time I need to shop, I am worried about buying counterfeit goods. As a consumer, I am really worried and confused because if the authorities do not intervene and violators are not severely punished, many people will still "lose money and suffer" because of counterfeit goods. The issue I am concerned about now is the management of production, business activities, product quality, and measures to handle violations.

Fake medicine and milk powder related to violations were busted by authorities. Photo: Internet

Review and handle strictly

After the dismantling of the fake milk powder production, trading and consumption ring, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh sent a telegram to relevant ministries and People's Committees of provinces and cities, directing them to handle the case of fake milk production and distribution. Next, the Ministry of Industry and Trade also issued an urgent telegram to the People's Committees of provinces and cities, the Department of Domestic Market Management and Development, and local Departments of Industry and Trade on strengthening market supervision, inspection and control, especially for dairy products, medicines and health protection foods. The Ministry of Industry and Trade requested the People's Committees of provinces and cities to closely follow market developments, promptly synthesize and report to the Ministry on fluctuations in the market of essential goods, especially those that directly affect people's health; direct competent agencies to urgently review and inspect the compliance with the law by establishments trading in medicines and health protection foods in the area; Recall detected counterfeit drugs and health supplements, strictly handle violations according to regulations.

In Phu Yen, the leaders of the Department of Industry and Trade promptly deployed directives from superiors to specialized departments and market management forces; directed coordination with relevant agencies to inspect and control related groups of goods and handle violations according to regulations if violations are detected.

Regarding the problem of counterfeit goods, Ms. To Thi Hoa, Chairwoman of the Provincial Consumer Rights Protection Association, shared: In recent years, the market for goods and food has grown more and more, with a variety of types. Sales methods have also developed with many ways and tricks through the development of technology and e-commerce. Businesses and individuals use advertising and livestreaming to introduce products to consumers. Meanwhile, it is difficult for consumers to distinguish between genuine and fake goods through ambiguous advertising on media and social networking sites such as Zalo, Facebook, Tiktok, etc. Most people only buy goods based on trust, by simply examining the external appearance, etc.

According to the market management force, based on the decree regulating administrative sanctions for violations in commercial activities, production, trade of counterfeit and banned goods and protection of consumer rights of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, in addition to the main sanctions, additional sanctions, requirements to remedy consequences..., the maximum fine in the commercial field is 100 million VND for individuals, 200 million VND for organizations; the maximum fine in the field of production, trade of counterfeit and banned goods and protection of consumer rights is 200 million VND for individuals and 400 million VND for organizations.

Therefore, when fraudulent acts occur, consumers cannot help but feel insecure, lose confidence in the quality of goods and food, and even become hesitant when buying and using them. From that, it can be seen that the production, business and exchange of goods require high responsibility from suppliers and business individuals; especially sanctions and strong handling measures when violations are detected to create deterrence. At the same time, it is necessary for relevant functional sectors to participate and strictly manage according to the provisions of law immediately after licensing the production and business of goods and services towards sustainable production and business - responsible consumption.

Ms. To Thi Hoa also shared: The Law on Consumer Protection passed by the National Assembly in 2023 (effective from July 1, 2024) also has more specific regulations on the responsibilities of organizations and individuals trading in goods and services towards consumers, or the rights and obligations of consumers; however, consumers are still hesitant to complain and denounce when their legitimate rights and interests are violated. Therefore, in the coming time, to receive advice and support on legal policies to protect consumer rights, consumers can contact the Department of Industry and Trade, the Consumer Protection Association of the provinces for support; or contact the National Competition Commission, the Ministry of Industry and Trade directly, through the following methods: email, hotline, consulting and support switchboard, etc.

Source: https://baophuyen.vn/kinh-te/202504/bat-an-truoc-van-nan-hang-gia-1c7637d/