The Drug Administration of Vietnam, under the Ministry of Health, has issued a decision to recall a batch of Dr. Clean peach-scented hand sanitizer (500g bottle), batch number V412 04, manufactured on 18/8/2025 with an expiration date of 17/8/2028. Laboratory test results revealed that the product contains sodium benzoate, a preservative not listed on its label.

Koji Pharmaceutical Cosmetics Joint Stock Company, responsible for marketing the product, explained that sodium benzoate was present in two raw materials, Galsilk 7 SB and Euperlan PCO, but the company failed to declare it. Authorities also discovered that the product's original formula lacked Coco-Glucoside, despite the company having declared it in its submission. VICO Chemical Products One Member Limited Liability Company was the direct manufacturer of this batch.

Concurrently, the regulatory agency also recalled a batch of Young Rau Ma herbal skin cream (1 tube, 20g box), batch number 011124, manufactured on 28/11/2024 with an expiration date of 28/11/2027. Test samples of this cream contained two preservatives, methylparaben and propylparaben, which were not included in the declared ingredients.

Bidopharma USA Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company - Long An Branch, the manufacturer, stated that these substances were present in the raw materials, but prior control documents did not record them. Additionally, several herbal extracts used in the product, such as green tea, turmeric, and rau ma, also contained various other additives like glycerin, sodium benzoate, or propylene glycol. However, the company left these blank in the cosmetic declaration forms. Mekong Vietnam Commercial Development Joint Stock Company is the main distributor for this product.

Although the exact quantity recalled is currently unknown, these products are widely sold. According to health experts, using products with uncontrolled preservatives can pose risks of allergies, skin irritation, or unpredictable side effects for users. Moreover, consumers face the risk of long-term health effects when trusting ingredients that do not align with the manufacturer's safety commitments.

In response to these formulation transparency violations, the Drug Administration of Vietnam has instructed manufacturing and distribution companies to promptly issue notifications and thoroughly recall the violating batches from agents and retail points. Related entities must review the entire production process of other batches to ensure quality before they reach consumers.

The regulatory agency also decided to revoke the declaration numbers issued for these two products and advised the public to immediately stop using the mentioned batches to protect their health.

Label of the Young Rau Ma herbal skin cream batch recalled nationwide. *Photo: Screenshot*.

Since the beginning of the year, the Ministry of Health has consistently recalled and destroyed substandard products. Yesterday, 4 types of shampoo containing banned substances were also recalled. This action occurs as regulatory agencies are tightening control over the pharmaceutical and cosmetic markets in response to counterfeit goods, substandard products, and misleading advertisements.

Le Nga