The sale, storage, and trade of low-quality goods and food with unclear origins are increasing. Recently, authorities across the country have discovered and dealt with numerous cases involving the sale and transportation of substandard foods, cosmetics, functional foods, and medicines with unknown sources or fake labels.

During the peak period of combating smuggling, commercial fraud, and counterfeit goods, on May 26, the Market Management Division of Quảng Ninh province discovered a cold storage warehouse in Móng Cái city containing nearly 8 tons of chicken feet with unclear origins. The goods, including 1,720kg of raw chicken feet and 6,100kg of processed chicken feet, were packed in bags and awaiting sale. The warehouse owner stated that the chicken feet were purchased illegally to make a profit, without invoices or documentation to prove their origin.

Earlier, on May 20-21 in Móng Cái, the Border Guard force discovered two cases involving the transportation of nearly one ton of processed squid paste, dumplings, sausages, and other products with no known origin. On May 24, police in Hanoi seized 1.4 tons of processed chicken feet with mold growth and unclear origins, which were being transported from Hòa Bình to Hà Nội. In Hanoi, authorities also discovered 800kg of frozen food, including underdeveloped eggs and chicken tripe, with no labels, production sources, or proper storage conditions. On May 5, authorities at a frozen storage warehouse in Thanh Trì district found over 7 tons of animal organs (undeveloped eggs, pig’s intestines, chicken tripe…) without invoices, violating food safety regulations. Even vegetarian food is being sold without clear origins; on May 20, the Market Management Division of Phú Yên province discovered and forced the destruction of one ton of fake vegetarian products.

In Điện Biên, the provincial Department of Health has completed inspections of organizations and individuals involved in the production and business of medicines, health protection products, functional foods, and milk in the area of Điện Biên Phủ city and Điện Biên district. Inspections revealed 8 facilities in violation, with 13 types of goods and food, mainly chicken feet, sausages, candies, pickled radish, and milk, totaling more than 200kg. These items were packaged in bags with Chinese labels, and the facilities could not provide invoices or documents proving their origin or production sources. The inspection team ordered the destruction of the goods and imposed a fine of VND 29 million, while suspending one individual’s pharmaceutical license for 5 months. According to the Department of Health’s inspection report, monitoring and handling low-quality food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics remains challenging due to the volume of smuggled goods and goods with unclear origins, mainly at small businesses. Additionally, sample collection and testing funds are limited.

A series of cases involving substandard food and unclear origins in many provinces across the country have caused public concern. Of particular worry, many such products are sold around schools, targeting students and children who prefer cheap, instant snacks. Not only food but also substandard pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and functional foods, which directly threaten consumers’ health, are being sold using increasingly sophisticated, organized methods.

The question arises as to why violations are rampant and if there are gaps in food quality management. The responsibility for managing and evaluating food safety needs to be clearly assigned to the appropriate authorities, so they can take responsibility in case of incidents or food poisoning. The production, transportation, and sale of substandard, unbranded food, cosmetics, and medicines are on the rise due to violations exploiting gaps and inconsistencies in quality management, advertising control, and product distribution regulations. When violations are not fully addressed, and given the significant profits from selling low-quality goods, this issue continues to escalate.

To ensure public safety and protect citizens’ rights, the Prime Minister has consistently issued directives to strengthen inspections and timely detect and handle organizations and individuals involved in the production and sale of counterfeit goods, fake medicines, fake milk, and other fake health protection products. The nationwide crackdown on counterfeit goods will take place from May 15 to June 15. According to the National Steering Committee 389, in the first four months of 2025, law enforcement authorities handled over 34,000 violations, including more than 1,100 cases related to counterfeit goods and intellectual property violations, and initiated nearly 1,400 criminal cases related to this sector.

The fight to detect, prevent, and strictly handle the production and sale of counterfeit, substandard goods requires collaboration and clear responsibilities from many forces. The goal is to prevent goods and food with unclear origins from being sold freely, thus protecting the health of citizens.