According to the report of the Steering Committee 389 of Hanoi City (SC), in November 2024, the Hanoi Department of Health will continue to inspect and examine the compliance with legal regulations for establishments producing and trading in drugs, cosmetics, medical equipment, oriental medicine, and herbal medicines; inspect and examine the origin and quality of drugs and prevent counterfeit drugs; the use of drugs and equipment at clinics to promptly prevent violations.
In addition, the Hanoi Department of Health also inspects and checks to ensure food safety; inspects and checks food service establishments (collective kitchens, restaurants, ready-to-eat food processing); production of bottled water, soft drinks, ice cream, beer, etc.; production and trading of functional foods and nutritional products for children; trading and use of additives, raw materials, and food processing aids.
In November 2024, the Department of Health inspected and examined 49 cases, sanctioned 37 violations with a fine of 828 million VND.
Notably, in the period from November 11, 2024 to November 15, 2024, the Hanoi Department of Health announced 14 decisions to sanction administrative violations against a series of private medical and pharmaceutical establishments and establishments related to the field of food safety with a total fine of over 207 million VND.
On November 25, 2024, the Hanoi Department of Health issued four documents to suspend circulation, recall and destroy cosmetic products that do not meet quality standards.
Among them, the skin whitening and sunscreen cream SPF 30 (brand SH Today Hai Duong Cosmetics), manufactured by Hai Duong Cosmetics Production and Trading Company Limited in Ho Chi Minh City, was found to contain Methylparaben and Propylparaben - substances not included in the formula that had been granted a registration number.
Similarly, the product of anti-melasma - freckles - age spots - skin whitening cream (brand name OLY HT), produced by Long Phung Khang Cosmetics Joint Stock Company, was also recalled because it contained Propylparaben - a substance not included in the registered formula...
The Hanoi Department of Health then notified businesses and cosmetic users in the area to urgently review and immediately stop trading and using products on the list of suspended circulation.
At the same time, the Department of Health requested the Health Departments of 30 districts, towns and cities to notify cosmetic businesses and users in the area to recall all of the above products; inspect and supervise the recall implementation of the establishments (if any).
The inspection and strict handling of substandard products demonstrates the determination of the Hanoi Department of Health in protecting people's health and ensuring compliance with the law in the production and trading of cosmetics.
