On April 21st, Hòa Bình Province’s Department of Health announced the establishment of an inspection team to investigate the regulatory practices for food safety concerning 305 fake milk brands. These brands submitted self-declared product applications to the provincial Food Safety Department.
(Hoà Bình Provincial Food Safety Department)
According to Mr. Hoàng Ngọc Hào, the Department of Health’s Chief Inspector, the inspection team will review government oversight of food safety, focusing on four fake milk production companies whose branches were previously identified by law enforcement.
Specifically, the following branches of these companies submitted applications for milk products, which were later determined to be counterfeit:
- Hòa Bình Branch – Hacofood Group Pharmaceutical and Nutrition Joint Stock Company, and Hòa Bình Branch – Rance Pharma International Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company (both located at 335 Trần Hưng Đạo Street, Quỳnh Lâm Ward, Hòa Bình City)
- Hòa Bình Branch – Big Four Pharma International Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company, and Hòa Bình Branch – BFF Medical Nutrition Joint Stock Company (both located at 10 Dạ Hợp Consecutive Lots, Zone 12, Hữu Nghị Ward, Hòa Bình City)
Preliminary findings from the Hòa Bình Health Department’s inspection team suggest that the address at 335 Trần Hưng Đạo Street, Quỳnh Lâm Ward, Hòa Bình City, is currently rented as an obstetrics clinic with a five-year lease agreement still in effect.
Mr. Vương Văn Thuần, the property owner, stated that his family did not sign any agreements with any other entities beyond the clinic’s management.
(Address listed as an obstetrics clinic)
The inspection team is currently conducting a thorough investigation at the address in Dạ Hợp Consecutive Lots.
Regarding the Hòa Bình Provincial Food Safety Department, inspection officers from the Department of Health on April 21st are collecting relevant documents and examining whether the department has complied with national regulations regarding the declaration of brands and follow-up on fake milk products.
The Chief Inspector confirmed that the department is diligently investigating all aspects of the 305 fraudulent milk brands’ self-declaration processes.
The Department of Health is projected to provide a press release detailing the inspection results and relevant food safety management issues to media outlets by April 24th.
