Confused with the milk "matrix"

According to the initial investigation results of the police agency, since August 2021, realizing that people have an increasing demand for domestic powdered milk, Vu Manh Cuong and Hoang Manh Ha (both residing in Hanoi) contributed capital to establish Rance Pharma Company and Hacofood Group Company to directly organize the production, trading and consumption of fake powdered milk products. In addition to the two above-mentioned companies, the subjects also entered into joint ventures and partnerships in the form of contributing shares with many other subjects to establish 9 more companies with the purpose of registering the product lines and directly trading, distributing and consuming fake powdered milk products.

By the time of arrest, this line had produced 573 brands of powdered milk of various types. The milk was intended for people with diabetes, kidney failure, premature babies, and pregnant women with ingredients declared on the products such as bird's nest extract, cordyceps, macadamia powder, walnut powder... but in reality, these substances were completely absent. The subjects had discarded some of the input materials and replaced them with some additives.

Market management forces inspect the sale of milk at a supermarket in Buon Ma Thuot City. Photo: Do ​​Lan

The police determined that the quality of some powdered milk substances was below 70% of the declared level, which qualified them as counterfeit goods. Over the course of four years, the subjects smuggled fake milk into the market, illegally earning nearly VND500 billion.

The discovery of a large-scale production, trading and consumption network of fake milk powder has caused consumers to be confused and worried about the current milk "matrix", especially families with young children.

Mr. Nguyen Dac Thang's family (Tan Thanh Ward, Buon Ma Thuot City) has two young children (4 years old and 2 years old) who are using powdered milk every day. Mr. Thang said that in addition to main meals, his family also uses powdered milk to supplement nutrients for their children. On average, his children drink about 4 boxes of powdered milk each month. He chooses to buy all milk products at reputable addresses and large stores in the area. However, when he learned about the large-scale production of fake milk with sophisticated tricks, he was really scared. Immediately, he went online to check whether the milk product his children were drinking was on the list of fake milk or not. At the same time, he constantly updated information to know the situation, whether using poor quality milk products will harm the digestive system, physical and intellectual development of young children. “Just for profit, these people have done business dishonestly. I think the authorities need to handle this case seriously to deter and prevent similar cases from happening,” Mr. Thang was indignant.

Besides, many consumers have also decided to stop using powdered milk products to ensure the health of themselves and their families.

For the past three years, Ms. Nguyen Thi Le Hang (Hoa Khanh Commune, Buon Ma Thuot City) has been drinking 2 glasses of powdered milk every day. According to Ms. Hang, because she is old, often has bone and joint pain, and has a poor appetite, when she went to the doctor, she was advised to use powdered milk to supplement calcium and nutrients for her body. As a regular milk drinker, when she saw information about fake milk on the news, she felt uneasy because she did not know if the milk she was drinking was fake or not. "For the past 3-4 days, I have not dared to drink milk anymore. I am waiting for the competent authorities to fully announce all types of fake milk circulating on the market before I can feel secure in using it again," Ms. Hang shared.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Le Hang (Hoa Khanh commune, Buon Ma Thuot city) expressed concern about the quality of powdered milk products currently sold on the market.

Sharing the same sentiment, Ms. Mai Thi Nga (Hoa Dong commune, Krong Pac district) is also very concerned about the situation of fake and poor quality milk. It is known that for nearly a year now, Ms. Nga has chosen to use powdered milk for the elderly to improve the health of her husband and wife. The price of each box of milk she buys ranges from 450,000 - 500,000 VND. In recent days, through following the news, she has seen these milk products available in both traditional and online sales channels. This makes her wonder which milk product to choose for peace of mind, because with the large number of different powdered milk products being sold on the market today, it is difficult for buyers to determine real or fake milk with the naked eye. She even does not dare to check the powdered milk products she has used before for fear of further confusing her family.

“Authorities need to strengthen inspection and control, promptly detect and thoroughly handle fake milk production lines to protect the rights and health of consumers as well as legitimate businesses,” Ms. Nga said.

According to experts, to avoid buying fake milk, poor quality milk, consumers should choose products with famous brands, long-standing in the market, sold at reliable establishments such as pharmacies, large supermarkets and licensed stores. At the same time, it is necessary to carefully check information related to the product such as packaging, labels, QR codes, etc.

Regarding this case, up to now, the Investigation Police Agency (Ministry of Public Security) has prosecuted and temporarily detained 8 subjects for the crimes of "producing and trading in counterfeit food products" and "violating accounting regulations causing serious consequences".

Source: https://baodaklak.vn/kinh-te/202504/hoang-mang-voi-ma-tran-sua-39904d2/