Creation of 537 Counterfeit Milk Powder Brands: Vietnamese Police Bust Criminal Gang

Vietnamese police have uncovered a case involving the production and sale of counterfeit milk powder under 537 different brands, primarily targeting vulnerable groups such as diabetes patients, kidney disease sufferers, premature infants, and pregnant women.

According to *Vietnam News*, local authorities filed charges against eight suspects on Wednesday (12th) for allegedly producing and selling counterfeit food products and violating accounting regulations.

Police investigations revealed that, starting in August 2021, the suspects established two companies, Rance Pharma and Hacofood Group, which specialized in manufacturing fake milk powder. These products were distributed extensively in Hanoi and surrounding provinces.

The counterfeit milk powder was sold under 537 different brand names, generating nearly 500 billion Vietnamese dong (approximately S$26 million) in profits over the past four years.

Although the labels on these fake milk powders claimed they contained premium ingredients such as bird's nest extract, cordyceps, macadamia nut powder, and walnut powder, investigations exposed these claims as entirely fabricated. The perpetrators used substandard raw materials and added questionable additives that could pose health risks.

Authorities stated that any milk powder with ingredient levels less than 70% of what is advertised would be classified as counterfeit.

One product, named "Kera Candy," was found to contain only 0.51 grams of dietary fiber per box, far below the amount advertised. Additionally, it contained abnormally high levels of sorbitol, which could cause digestive issues and other health problems.

Experts pointed out that lax regulations and weak enforcement are contributing to Vietnam's growing problem of counterfeit goods. This not only results in financial losses for consumers but also poses serious health risks to groups reliant on specialized nutritional products.