In Vietnam, the sale of more than 1.2 million counterfeit effervescent tablets is under investigation
Hanoi police are investigating a case involving the production and sale of more than 1.2 million effervescent tablets by Vintechpharm. The inspection revealed serious discrepancies between the declared and actual composition of the products, which were distributed, among other channels, through the popular online platforms TikTok Shop and Shopee.
During the investigation, law enforcement authorities seized and sealed batches of goods, and samples were sent for laboratory testing. The results showed that the composition of some products differed significantly from the information indicated by the manufacturer on the packaging.
Specialists paid particular attention to the content of sodium benzoate (E211), a preservative used to prevent the growth of microorganisms and extend the shelf life of products.
Analysis of four samples revealed the content of this substance at 4.18–6.78%, although the level declared by the manufacturer was no more than 0.2%. Thus, the actual concentration turned out to be approximately 21–34 times higher than stated.
In addition, in some samples specialists did not find the components declared on the labels. Among them were vitamins B1, B3, and B6, as well as Centella asiatica, a plant ingredient used in some dietary supplements.
The identified violations call into question the reliability of the information about the product composition and compliance with manufacturing requirements. At the same time, exceeding the declared concentration of the preservative by itself does not make it possible to determine the degree of danger of a specific product without additional assessment of its composition and conditions of use. Law enforcement authorities continue to establish the circumstances of the production and sale of the tablets, as well as to verify the volume of distributed products.
Consumers who purchased Vintechpharm effervescent tablets are advised to temporarily stop using them. It is advisable to keep the original packaging, batch number, expiration date, and proof of purchase. This information may be needed to identify the products and for possible inspections. Particular attention should be paid to goods purchased through TikTok Shop, Shopee, and other online sales channels.
