Recently, authorities have continuously discovered and seized goods of unknown origin, violating food safety in the northern mountainous provinces such as Dien Bien, Lai Chau, Ha Giang... which have raised the alarm about the situation of trade fraud in the highlands.
During a surprise inspection of pharmaceutical, health protection food, milk businesses... from April 24 to May 16, in Dien Bien province, 8/24 establishments were found to have violations, including dozens of products of unknown origin, not ensuring conditions for sale on the market. However, the authorities did not announce the names and business addresses of all these establishments, causing many people to be insecure.
Speaking to Lao Dong Newspaper reporters about this issue, Mr. Tran Ngoc Diep - Deputy Chief Inspector of Dien Bien Department of Health, head of the inspection team, said: "According to regulations, the violations of these business establishments have not reached the point of having to announce their names and addresses, therefore, the inspection team only handled them according to regulations and required the establishments to self-destroy themselves in the presence of the authorities".
Recently (May 19), the interdisciplinary forces of Lai Chau province also inspected a business household in Quyet Thang ward, Lai Chau city. Through inspection, it was discovered that the establishment was selling 47 boxes of Fuji-moto brand sweet potato (main cake), with a total weight of 720kg. The product packaging does not record the origin of the goods and lacks mandatory contents according to the provisions of law.
According to the reporter's research, goods of unknown origin are not only discovered in small businesses but also in large supermarkets. For example, during the recent inspection of Dien Bien Phu City farm, the violating facilities were not announced by the authorities, causing people to be confused and worried.
Ms. Vi Thi Nga (28 years old, Muong Thanh ward, Dien Bien Phu city) said: "When I go shopping, I find it very difficult to distinguish between counterfeit goods that are identical to real goods, and to recognize them is extremely difficult."
According to Ms. Nga, information about counterfeit goods has caused many changes in shopping habits. Instead of free choice, she now tends to only believe in familiar places or reputable sellers.
Faced with the above situation, Dien Bien province has issued a peak plan to combat smuggling, trade fraud, counterfeit goods, and infringement of intellectual property rights. Accordingly, the subjects of inspection are organizations and individuals operating in the production, trading of traditional services and e-commerce.
Focus on organizations and individuals producing and trading medicine, milk, food and health protection foods. The peak plan will be implemented from May 22 to June 15. And throughout the period from June 16 to the end of 2025, when there are instructions from superiors, consumer feedback or recommendations and proposals from inspection team members.
Lai Chau province has also launched a peak period of fighting to prevent and repel smuggling, trade fraud, counterfeit goods, and infringement of intellectual property rights from May 16 to June 15.
