According to the agency's August 27 announcement, the recalled batch of E150 turmeric cream (20g tube, batch number 01) was produced by the Bac Ninh branch of Tan Ha Lan Co., Ltd., a Hanoi-based company responsible for bringing the product to market.
The Hanoi Department of Health's Center for Drug, Cosmetics, and Food Testing analyzed a sample of the E150 turmeric cream obtained from Nam An Pharmaceutical Trading Joint Stock Company (stall 342, 3rd floor, Hapu Pharmaceutical Distribution Center). The results revealed discrepancies between the label and the product registration, particularly claims such as "for skin as radiant as the sun," "natural vitamin E," "eliminates dark spots," "helps clear acne," and "removes stretch marks and melasma."
Similarly, Sofpaifa (5g tube, batch number 0010724) produced by Quang Minh Pharmaceutical Trading Joint Stock Company in TP HCM was also suspended from circulation. Its label featured unsubstantiated claims like "cream for itching caused by mosquito, ant... bites," "anti-itch, antiseptic, and soothing," and listed effectiveness against various insects without scientific backing.
The Drug Administration of Vietnam has directed local Departments of Health to instruct businesses to stop selling and using the products, and to return them to their suppliers. The companies involved must recall the products and destroy them if the offending labels cannot be removed. They must also review other batches for similar issues. Recall reports are due to the Drug Administration of Vietnam by September 7. The companies will be held legally accountable for any inaccuracies in their reports.
Recently, authorities have uncovered numerous violations at production and business facilities, leading to the recall and destruction of counterfeit and substandard drugs and cosmetics. In June, the Drug Administration of Vietnam conducted surprise inspections of 38 facilities, finding 17 in violation. Additionally, 20 provinces and cities inspected 865 manufacturing, importing, and trading facilities, identifying 48 violations.
Le Nga
