After many scandals, Hoang Huong continues to violate
The Food Safety Department (Ministry of Health) recently issued an official dispatch requesting the Department of Radio, Television and Electronic Information to handle the fanpage "Authentic Hoang Huong Meli Pharmaceutical" for misunderstandingly advertising functional foods that have not been confirmed according to regulations.
This information continues to spark controversy, because Hoang Huong (real name Hoang Thi Huong, born in 1987, in Phu Tho) is a familiar face with a series of business scandals and statements that caused a stir on social networks.
Since its appearance, Hoang Huong's affirmations have caused a stir in public opinion many times, such as the product "endless medicine" or " bone and joint treatment without Western medicine".
In 2021, Hoang Huong announced a plan to spend 2 billion VND per year to invite singer Ho Van Cuong as a brand ambassador, but his intention quickly encountered controversy. At the same time, she used the image of a "62-year-old bride" couple to promote dental services, leading to legal controversy.
From 2022, the Hoang Huong brand has developed strongly. Hoang Huong Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company, which she runs, has been fined many times for false advertising. In 2022 alone, this enterprise was fined VND65 million by the Food Safety Department.
In 2023, when livestreaming in Ha Giang, Hoang Huong called the Mong mon meng "gray pork". The Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Ha Giang later condemned the language of insulting local culture.
Despite being continuously fined and criticized, Hoang Huong has maintained a strong business and advertising business. Many opinions say that the current sanctions are not enough to deter, causing repeated violations.
Recently, the public is no longer unfamiliar with the name Hoang Huong - a chain of businesses selling functional foods, cosmetics, products to support oral treatment, beauty... with a series of huge advertisements on social networks. Despite being "tapped" by the authorities many times, this enterprise has continuously repeated violations.
The penalty is not strong enough?
Recently, the Food Safety Department has proposed that the Radio, Television and Electronic Information Department handle the fanpage "Authentic Hoang Huong Meli Pharmaceutical" for advertising functional foods that cause misunderstanding and have not been confirmed according to regulations.
This is not the first time Hoang Huong has been punished. From 2021 to present, this enterprise has been repeatedly handled by the Inspectorate of the Ministry of Health and local health departments for similar acts.
According to Clause 5, Article 34 of Decree No. 38/2021/ND-CP of the Government regulating administrative sanctions in the field of culture and advertising, advertising violations are subject to the following penalties: Fines from VND 60,000,000 to VND 80,000,000 for incorrect or confusing advertising behavior, the ability to supply products, goods, and services of organizations and individuals to trade in products, goods, and services; quantity, quality, price, uses, design, packaging, brand, origin, type of service, warranty period of registered or published products and goods, except for some cases as prescribed.
Compared to the huge profits earned from online sales campaigns, these fines have not been found anywhere, not enough to deter business owners.
The process of handling violations is still long and cumbersome, while advertising on social networks is spreading quickly and difficult to control. When the authorities made a record, many false clips were spread millions of times, causing consequences that were difficult to overcome. Some businesses even accept paying fines in exchange for "virtual" reputation and large sales, considering fines as marketing costs.
Director of the Department of Food Safety Tran Viet Nga said that most food products are self-declared, only 4 groups must register to declare products to State agencies before selling them on the market. When announcing, businesses must commit to comply with regulations and be responsible for product quality and safety.
The Ministry of Health attaches special importance to post-inspection work. Each year, the Ministry develops an inspection plan, coordinating with other sectors to strictly handle false advertising and deceit consumers. The Food Safety Department also regularly coordinates with the Ministry of Public Security to periodically and suddenly inspect food production and trading establishments, providing documents as a basis for criminal proceedings if serious violations are detected.
The Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Public Security are proposing to increase sanctions and amend the Penal Code to strictly handle the production and trading of fake and unsafe food.
