Nearly 600 counterfeit powdered milk brands have been uncovered in Hanoi and surrounding provinces. Photo by VTV
Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security has dismantled a large-scale criminal ring that produced, distributed, and sold counterfeit powdered milk in Hanoi and surrounding provinces.
Following a lengthy investigation, authorities have prosecuted and temporarily detained eight individuals for producing and trading counterfeit food products and fraud.
Initial findings reveal that since August 2021, suspects in the ring established two companies, Rance Pharma International Pharmaceutical JSC and Hacofood Group Nutritional Pharmaceutical JSC, as fronts to manufacture and market counterfeit powdered milk.
A total of 573 different powdered milk brands were produced, targeting vulnerable consumers such as diabetics, kidney disease patients, premature infants, and pregnant women.
While packaging labels claimed the products contained premium ingredients like bird’s nest extract, cordyceps, macadamia powder, and walnut powder, investigators confirmed none were present.
According to the police, the ring substituted or omitted key ingredients and added various additives. Testing revealed that the nutritional content of some products was less than 70 percent of the declared values, qualifying them as counterfeit under Vietnamese law.
Over four years, the suspects reportedly generated nearly VND500 billion (nearly USD20 million) in revenue from the sale of these fake milk products.
