500 billion fake milk case: Consumers confused by "milk matrix"

Recently, authorities have continuously discovered and dismantled a series of fake milk production and trading lines. (Illustration photo)

Blame yourself for not doing enough research

Over the past 4 years, Ms. NH ( Bac Ninh ) has purchased up to 80 boxes of milk from the list of nearly 600 types of fake milk that have just been busted by the authorities. She bought these products for her older child, herself when she was pregnant for the second time, and for her parents to supplement calcium.

“At first, they advised me to use imported goat milk because this type of milk is cool and helps the baby gain weight. By 2024, the store advised me to switch to Talacmum [on the list of counterfeit products that have just been announced - PV] which also has the same effect. During the time I used the milk, the seller repeatedly advertised and invited me to buy more milk with gift programs and lucky draws such as: buy 6 boxes get 1 free, accumulate points to receive gifts, buy more get more lucky draws, etc. Also because I was stingy with money, wanted cheap prices, liked gifts, I was subjective, trusted the seller, and did not research the product thoroughly,” said Ms. NH.

In the past 4 years, Ms. NH has bought up to 80 boxes of milk from the list of nearly 600 types of fake milk that have just been busted by the authorities. (Photo: provided by the character)

Ms. NH said that she currently has 23 boxes left. After the information about the fake milk production line was announced, the store contacted her to exchange all of them for other products. She sympathized with them because she thought they were also victims, so she accepted.

“Honestly, until now, seeing the consequences like this, I really blame myself and feel sorry for my child. The health of my loved ones and the time spent… cannot be recovered,” Ms. NH shared with tears in her eyes.

Blaming themselves for not doing enough research and hastily believing in advice and offers is the common mentality of many people who have bought fake milk. Most of them buy it for their children and pregnant women.

Ms. HV ( Thai Binh ) is a civil servant. For over a year now, she has been buying height-enhancing milk for her daughter. When she discovered she had bought fake milk, for nearly a week she has been depressed and tormented.

“I blame the seller once and myself ten times. I spent more than 600,000 VND for a box of milk for my child. I thought that the expensive product would be of good quality, but I didn’t expect that. Now if anything happens to my child’s health, I will regret it so much,” Ms. HV confided.

According to the characters, the reporter accessed a number of forums on social networks and found that in recent days, the popular topic that many people are interested in is checking whether the milk products they are using are fake or not. Most of the above accounts are anonymous. The common mentality is fear of being labeled as ignorant; fear of meeting acquaintances who will gossip and blame.

"Grass milk" "surrounds" consumers

Also from these forums, many people share their frustration with the “1001 reasons” for buying fake goods.

Ms. Diep Hoang ( Hanoi ) felt lucky that when she took her child to a nutrition clinic for a check-up, the doctor prescribed a rather "strange" type of milk, but she did not buy it.

“The doctor told me to buy this milk at the hospital pharmacy. I didn’t see any brand name so I didn’t buy it,” Ms. Diep Hoang shared.

"Milk of grass" is prescribed in some prescriptions. (Illustration photo)

Sharing the same concern, Ms. Le Nga (Thanh Hoa) said that she herself was once "prescribed" to buy a "strange" type of milk to supplement her child.

“At that time, I found out that the manufacturer was a Vietnamese company, but the name was not popular, so I decided not to buy it. Now, after the fake milk incident, I went back to the company's website and could not find this product anymore. It really does more harm than good,” Ms. Le Nga wondered.

“Grass milk” is the general name that consumers give to milk products of unknown production units or production units without “reputation”. In fact, “grass milk” has been and is flooding the market, reaching consumers through many different “channels”.

Ms. Le Vy (Quang Ninh) has been "fighting" with the store in Uong Bi for the past few days, where she has been buying fake milk for her family for nearly 2 years.

“They cannot deny their responsibility. Many famous people have advertised to make us trust them. There is even a program to buy milk and get gold,” Ms. Le Vy was indignant.

According to the report, she is looking for and calling on people who bought products from this dealer to file a compensation claim.

Many consumers said that after this incident, they completely changed their views and ways of choosing milk: "Do not listen to advice. Absolutely do not believe in advertising. Have to find out for yourself."

Many promotional programs buy milk and get gifts. (Illustration photo).

According to the Investigation Police Department of the Ministry of Public Security, the fake milk powder production, trading and consumption chain has produced 573 brands of various types of milk powder. The milk is for people with diabetes, kidney failure, premature babies, premature babies and pregnant women with ingredients declared on the product such as: bird's nest extract, cordyceps, macadamia powder, walnut powder... but in reality, there are absolutely no such substances. The subjects have discarded some input materials and replaced and added some additives.
The police determined that the quality indicators of some substances in the powdered milk were below 70% of the announced level, enough to be identified as counterfeit goods.

According to nhandan.vn

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/vu-sua-gia-500-ty-nguoi-tieu-dung-hoang-mang-truoc-ma-tran-sua-post400295.html