Fake milk and unpredictable dangers to public health

Recently, a series of large-scale fake milk production and trading chains have been discovered and dismantled, reflecting the alarming reality of the prevalence and danger of fake milk in Vietnam. This behavior not only violates the law and causes economic damage, but also poses a serious threat to public health, especially vulnerable groups such as children, pregnant women, the elderly and people with weak immune systems.

Báo Lào Cai•15/04/2025

Workers pack finished products at a large-scale fake milk powder production facility recently busted by Hanoi City Police.

The harmful effects of fake milk on public health

In April 2025, Hanoi City Police coordinated with professional units to dismantle a production line of nearly 600 types of fake milk powder, targeting people with diabetes, kidney failure, premature babies, and pregnant women. The results of the examination showed that many milk samples did not have the declared ingredients, contained additives of unknown origin, and only met less than 70% of nutritional standards.

Previously, in January 2024, authorities also discovered a large-scale fake milk factory selling through e-commerce in Binh Duong and Ho Chi Minh City, imitating famous brands.

Many readers sent comments to Nhan Dan Newspaper expressing concern about the widespread situation of fake milk, which is difficult to distinguish between real and fake. A reader in Thanh Xuan District, Hanoi, shared: “Milk is an essential source of nutrition for children and the elderly in my family. But after reading information about fake milk, I am really worried. What should consumers rely on to choose safe products?”

Warning about the risks of fake milk for young children, Dr. Nguyen Thi Mai Hoan, National Children's Hospital, said: "Milk is an essential source of nutrition in the first years of life. Children who drink fake milk are at risk of calcium, iron, vitamin D, DHA deficiencies..., leading to malnutrition and slow physical and mental development."

According to Dr. Hoan, some types of fake milk also contain melamine - a dangerous industrial chemical. If young children absorb melamine, they can suffer kidney damage, enteritis, and even death if exposed for a long time. Common symptoms of poisoning include diarrhea, vomiting, convulsions, and fever; if not detected promptly, it can lead to serious complications.

Not only does it affect young children, fake milk also poses a potential risk to pregnant women. If they use substandard milk, they may be deficient in important micronutrients such as calcium and folic acid, which can easily lead to low birth weight, premature birth or birth defects. Elderly people who use fake milk are also at risk of osteoporosis, metabolic disorders, and even poisoning due to impaired digestive function.

In particular, for patients with diabetes, cancer or chronic diseases, specialized milk plays an important role in the nutritional regimen. However, according to Dr. Hoan, some fake milk products have been found to contain industrial sugar or inappropriate sweeteners, which can increase blood sugar, causing the risk of coma or stroke.

According to Associate Professor, Doctor, Physician Nguyen Trong Hung, National Institute of Nutrition, in terms of nutritional content, low-quality milk and fake milk may not be able to provide enough energy, vitamins and minerals as stated on the ingredient list on the milk carton.

It is difficult to identify real and fake milk with the naked eye, but when buying milk, consumers should carefully read the information on the packaging and box such as: product name; company name and address, contact phone number of the manufacturer; importer and distributor; expiry date; nutritional composition table of the product;... If it is imported milk, there must be a secondary label in Vietnamese.
Associate Professor, PhD, Doctor Nguyen Trong Hung, National Institute of Nutrition

For example, if milk is used for a long time without the ingredients as advertised, it may lead to nutritional deficiencies, affecting the developmental stages of young children. In case parents trust too much in the effects of advertised milk products without taking their children to see a doctor, it will lead to the risk of missing the stage when children can receive timely nutritional intervention.

Dr. Hung said that it is very difficult to identify real milk and fake milk with the naked eye, but when buying milk, consumers should carefully read the information on the packaging and box such as: product name; company name and address, contact phone number of the manufacturer; importer and distributor; expiry date; nutritional composition table of the product;... If it is imported milk, there must be a secondary label in Vietnamese.

Do not buy or use dairy products if the product packaging is printed smudged, unclear, has signs of erasure, or the milk box is dented, or the origin is unclear...

In addition, consumers can look up information to see if the company that produces that type of milk has many years of experience. Are those powdered milk brands popular or not? They should prioritize buying milk brands that have been inspected and licensed by the authorities and be careful with hand-carried milk products, goods without clear origin...

Need to tighten management, raise vigilance to protect consumers

The use of fake milk not only affects individual health but also places a burden on society as a whole. According to health experts, the long-term consequences of this are increased rates of malnutrition in children, increased chronic diseases, reduced life expectancy and worsening health inequalities. Loss of confidence in the market also causes consumers to turn their backs on domestic products, seriously affecting the food and nutrition industry.

Nearly 600 types of milk were counterfeited.

Counterfeit dairy products not only harm health, but also destroy trust in Vietnam’s food manufacturing industry. This could lead to a decline in the production and consumption of genuine dairy products, with long-term effects on the economy.

In fact, many fake milk products are distributed through e-commerce platforms and social networks, making it difficult for consumers to control quality. Product packaging is designed to look like genuine products, printed with full ingredient information and QR codes, but in fact has no authentication value.

Consumers need to be highly vigilant, only buy products from reputable distribution systems, check authentication codes, anti-counterfeit stamps and absolutely do not buy milk from unknown sources.
Dr. Dinh Thai Quang, Vice President of Vietnam Association for Legal Dissemination and Consultation

Sharing more about this issue, Dr. Dinh Thai Quang, Vice President of the Vietnam Association for Dissemination and Legal Consultation, recommends that consumers need to be highly vigilant, only buy products from reputable distribution systems, check authentication codes, anti-counterfeit stamps and absolutely do not buy milk from unknown sources.

In addition, Mr. Quang emphasized that authorities need to strengthen supervision and strictly handle violations, while improving testing and traceability capacity to promptly detect and destroy fake milk production lines.

“Genuine manufacturing enterprises need to proactively protect their brands, closely coordinate with authorities to protect consumers and maintain trust in domestic products,” said Mr. Quang.

Counterfeit milk is not only a commercial fraud, but also a direct threat to human health and life. According to experts, to effectively prevent it, there needs to be close coordination between authorities, businesses and consumers.

Most importantly, each citizen needs to equip themselves with smart consumer knowledge to protect themselves and the community from the danger called "fake milk".

According to nhandan.vn

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/sua-gia-va-nhung-hiem-hoa-khon-luong-voi-suc-khoe-cong-dong-post400194.html