Fake milk case worth 500 billion VND: Ministry of Industry and Trade says it does not grant licenses and directly manage

No licensing and direct management of the goods of 2 violating enterprises

Regarding the large-scale fake milk production line that was recently dismantled by the Ministry of Public Security with a revenue of nearly 500 billion VND occurring at Rance Pharma International Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company and Hacofood Group Nutrition Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company, Mr. Tran Huu Linh, Director of the Department of Domestic Market Management and Development (Ministry of Industry and Trade) said that according to Decree No. 15/2018/ND-CP, the Ministry of Industry and Trade is responsible for managing the group of regular processed milk products, excluding products supplemented with micronutrients, functional foods, or pharmaceuticals with special nutritional ingredients. These products are currently managed by the Ministry of Health.

In addition, the Ministry of Industry and Trade does not have the authority to issue business registration certificates to enterprises. The establishment and registration of business operations are carried out by the Department of Planning and Investment of provinces and centrally run cities in accordance with the provisions of the Enterprise Law.

“Therefore, the Ministry of Industry and Trade does not directly license and manage products produced and traded by Rance Pharma International Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company and Hacofood Group Nutrition Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company,” said Mr. Linh.

Mr. Linh emphasized that according to current legal regulations, the Ministry of Industry and Trade can only conduct inspections of these enterprises when it detects signs of violations within the scope of assigned functions and tasks.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade does not directly license and manage products produced and traded by Rance Pharma International Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company and Hacofood Group Nutrition Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company.

Inspect, control and handle nearly 800 cases related to milk

Regarding Hacofood Group Nutrition Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company and Rance Pharma International Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company, Mr. Tran Huu Linh said that these are enterprises that are not under the specialized management authority of the Ministry of Industry and Trade. Therefore, according to current law, the Ministry of Industry and Trade is not allowed to conduct specialized inspections, periodic checks or post-inspections on the production and supply of milk of these two enterprises.

“According to current legal regulations, the Ministry of Industry and Trade can only conduct inspections of these enterprises when it detects signs of violations within the scope of assigned functions and tasks,” said a representative of the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

According to Mr. Linh, with the responsibility and role of state management, the inspection and control of dairy products in recent years has been regularly directed by the Ministry of Industry and Trade to the Market Management force.

Specifically, in 4 years (2021 - 2024), the Market Management force nationwide has inspected and handled 783 cases; the fine amount is more than 2.2 billion VND; the number of violating goods is 58,187 boxes, 451 cartons, 20,394 bottles/cans. Typically, Hanoi has inspected and handled 53 cases with a total fine of 546 million VND; the total number of confiscated and destroyed goods for milk products is 5,853 cans, boxes, bottles... with a total value of more than 200 million VND.

Continue to review and strengthen management measures

Mr. Tran Huu Linh, Director of the Department of Domestic Market Management and Development (Ministry of Industry and Trade), pointed out the reason why some businesses have many product lines distributed widely but have not been detected for violations for a long time.

Firstly, the enterprise carries out full business procedures and documents in accordance with current legal regulations to cover up product violations that can only be detected when tested; and the product has not received any consumer complaints of violations to be able to take samples for testing.

Second, these businesses choose to sell this product not through supermarket systems, official agents or controlled retail chains, but mainly through marketing and direct sales to consumers through blending in and disguising themselves in specialized seminars, hospitals and clinics.

Third, businesses also hire some celebrities, movie actors, and models who have influence on society and the online community to advertise and sell directly to consumers through advertising channels on social networks such as YouTube, Facebook, Zalo... to avoid and make it difficult for the supervision and inspection work of authorities.

Mr. Tran Huu Linh said that in the coming time, the Department of Domestic Market Management and Development will closely direct local Market Management Sub-Departments to strengthen inspection and supervision of the circulation and distribution of dairy products, especially at small retail channels, unofficial agents, e-commerce platforms and social networks, where there are many potential risks of counterfeit goods, goods of unknown origin, and poor quality goods.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade also conducted a comprehensive review and assessment of the management of goods circulation for dairy products, focusing on identifying loopholes after the distribution stage. From there, it proposed to perfect the inter-sectoral coordination mechanism, enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency in inspecting and handling acts of commercial fraud, false advertising, and food safety violations.

According to VTV

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/vu-sua-gia-500-ty-dong-bo-cong-thuong-noi-khong-cap-phep-va-quan-ly-truc-tiep-245633.htm