The recalled product, lot number DAM1R with an expiry date of 23/3/2028, was manufactured by Art Nouveau Cosmetic Co., Ltd in South Korea. Thien Minh International Co., Ltd in Hanoi marketed the product, which was distributed by Tran Duy Co., Ltd in Ho Chi Minh City. This facial cleanser is popular in the current market, priced at approximately 120,000 VND per tube.

Previously, the Central Institute for Drug Testing collected a sample of this facial cleanser from Go! Long Bien supermarket in Hanoi for quality inspection. Test results showed the sample lacked phenoxyethanol, despite the declared dossier stating a 0,2% phenoxyethanol content in the formula (equivalent to 2,000 mcg/g).

Authorities also noted that the ingredient ratios in the original formula provided by the company differed from the formula declared in the product announcement form. Furthermore, the lemon extract raw material used in production contained butylene glycol, which was not declared in the product dossier.

The Drug Administration of Vietnam (DAV) determined that the product's formula did not match its declared dossier, violating cosmetic management regulations. Consequently, the agency ordered a halt to business and use of the product lot, organized its recall and destruction, and mandated the processing of violations according to regulations. Results of the recall and destruction must be reported to the DAV before 17/3.

Concurrently, the DAV revoked the receipt number for the cosmetic product announcement form for the facial cleanser. Thien Minh International Co., Ltd was also suspended from submitting and having cosmetic product announcement dossiers reviewed for six months.

Since early january, the Ministry of Health (MoH) has consistently recalled and destroyed substandard products. This action occurs as regulatory bodies tighten control over the pharmaceutical and cosmetic markets amid issues of counterfeit goods, poor quality products, and false advertising. Recently, the DAV announced the recall of 131 cosmetic products from manufacturing facilities that did not meet regulatory conditions.

According to data from Statista, Vietnam's cosmetic market in 2024 is estimated to reach a size of over 2,4 billion USD, with 90% being imported goods, posing a significant challenge for quality management efforts.

Le Nga