National Assembly discusses 'loopholes' in food safety management following counterfeit milk and Kera candy scandals

During the group discussion on the draft Food Safety Law (amended) on the afternoon of October 24, National Assembly deputies expressed deep concern over food safety risks, particularly following the scandal involving nearly 600 types of counterfeit milk powder targeting vulnerable groups and the Kera candy case involving exaggerated advertising.

Deputy Nguyen Thu Xanh (Hai Phong delegation) stated that the self-declaration mechanism under Decree 15/2018 has been exploited by some businesses. She argued that this is not merely a violation by manufacturers like Rance Pharma or Hacofood Group, but a warning regarding the detection and traceability capabilities of the management system.

Ms. Xanh proposed that the draft law should include specific provisions for periodic sampling based on risk groups and increase unannounced inspections for entities showing signs of violations. Regarding e-commerce, the deputy emphasized the need to strictly control records, advertising content, and the responsibility of influencers (KOLs) to protect consumers.

From another perspective, Deputy Pham Khanh Phong Lan (HCMC delegation) argued that the core issue lies in post-market inspection. According to her, many businesses submit valid declarations but fail to adhere to production commitments in practice, often outsourcing to substandard facilities, leading to the prevalence of counterfeit functional foods.

Regarding the draft amendment, Ms. Lan expressed concern that administrative burdens could increase if the transition from self-declaration to standard-compliant declaration with fixed terms is implemented. She suggested that the drafting agency should consider an appropriate roadmap, requiring re-registration only when product composition changes to avoid unnecessary burdens on businesses.