According to Dr. Le Thao Nguyen from Nam Saigon International General Hospital, using counterfeit milk can lead to serious micronutrient deficiencies, especially in young children, the elderly, pregnant women, and those undergoing medical treatment.
Some common symptoms include digestive disorders, abdominal pain, diarrhea, allergies, etc. Furthermore, if milk is produced and stored under unsanitary conditions, the risk of mold, bacteria, and impurities causing poisoning is very high – especially dangerous for people with weakened immune systems.
"To assess the quality of milk, consumers cannot rely solely on packaging, images, or advertising. The most important factor lies in the actual nutritional content of the product. Standard milk not only provides sufficient energy but also needs to ensure adequate levels of essential micronutrients such as protein, DHA, calcium, and soluble fiber… These components play a particularly important role in supporting the immune system, brain development, the digestive system, and the recovery process for patients," Dr. Nguyen shared.
Authorities inspect a warehouse producing counterfeit milk in Di An City, Binh Duong Province.
PHOTO: CACC
Dr. Nguyen stated that the difference between standard and substandard milk is very clear when compared based on nutritional criteria. Accurate identification will help consumers proactively protect their own health and that of their families.
Below is a summary of some basic criteria for distinguishing between real and fake milk:
Main nutritional components | Milk that meets standards | Fake milk |
Protein | Meets standards (≥10%) | It can be diluted or not. |
DHA, ARA | Complete | No evidence found, or only traces |
Vitamin D, Calcium | It has a clear content. | Severe shortage |
Soluble fiber (FOS, GOS) | Yes (helps with digestion) | No or insufficient quantity |
Sugar, sweeteners | Standardized control | Chemicals of unknown origin may be used. |
Flavorings - additives | Under control | There is a risk of using toxic synthetic fragrances. |
Toxic substances - Impurities | Not detected | There is a risk of containing impurities, chemical residues, or prohibited substances that are harmful to health. |
5 signs to recognize fake milk that consumers need to be aware of.
According to Doctor Le Thao Nguyen, although counterfeit milk is becoming increasingly sophisticated, consumers can still identify it through some common signs:
Observe the packaging : Authentic milk has sharp packaging, clear printed information, and the expiration date is usually embossed or deeply stamped. In contrast, counterfeit milk often has blurry printing, spelling errors, misaligned labels, easily peeling or erased expiration dates.
Check the milk powder : Real milk powder is light yellow or off-white, smooth, fluffy, and has a mild aroma. Conversely, fake milk powder may be lumpy, discolored, have a strange smell such as sourness, or contain chemicals.
Fake milk may curdle, change color, have a strange smell like sourness, or contain chemicals.
ILLUSTRATIVE PHOTO: AI
Scan the barcode and check the supplementary label : Users should use applications such as iCheck or Barcode Viet to verify the product's origin. Genuine imported milk always has a clear, standard-compliant supplementary label in Vietnamese.
Be wary of the price : Genuine milk products usually have stable prices. If a product is advertised at a price 30-50% lower than the market price, only appears in online groups, or lacks an invoice, it could be counterfeit.
Post-consumption reactions : If users of the milk, especially young children or sick individuals, experience symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, allergic reactions, bloating, or slow recovery, they should stop using the product immediately and take it to a medical facility for examination.
"However, these are just initial indicators. With increasingly sophisticated methods, many counterfeit milk products can now deceive consumers in terms of barcodes, labels, and even taste. Therefore, the safest option is to buy milk from reputable distributors with complete import documents, quality inspection certificates, and genuine labels," Dr. Nguyen advised.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/thanh-phan-trong-sua-gia-co-gi-khac-sua-dat-chuan-185250419181928041.htm
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