The Vietnamese Drug Administration has initiated a major recall of nearly 60 cosmetic products, affecting well-known brands such as Anessa and DHC. The reasons for the recall vary, including discrepancies between product formulations and declared ingredients, inconsistent labeling with published records, and in some cases, voluntary requests from the enterprises responsible for bringing these products to market.
In a significant move impacting consumers and the cosmetics industry, Vietnam's Drug Administration (DAV) under the Ministry of Health has issued a series of decisions to revoke the circulation permits for numerous cosmetic products, including popular brands like Anessa and DHC. The widespread recall, stemming partly from voluntary requests by the distributing companies and partly from regulatory enforcement, highlights ongoing efforts to ensure product safety and compliance in the Vietnamese market.
This action is part of a broader government crackdown on counterfeit, substandard, and non-compliant cosmetics, aiming to protect consumer health and strengthen market oversight.
Voluntary Withdrawals Amidst Broader Crackdown
While specific details for each recalled product vary, the DAV stated that a number of these revocations were based on "voluntary requests from businesses." This suggests that some companies, upon discovering issues or in response to heightened scrutiny, proactively sought to withdraw their product declaration forms. However, these voluntary actions are taking place in the context of a wider national campaign initiated by the Prime Minister's office to combat illicit and substandard goods, including cosmetics.
The list of affected products includes various types of cosmetics, such as sunscreens from Anessa (including Anessa Perfect UV Sunscreen, Anessa Brightening UV, Anessa Whitening Sunscreen Milk) and several items from DHC. Other popular brands like Hada Labo and Bigen are also mentioned in the recall notices. These are brands widely used and trusted by Vietnamese consumers, making the recall a notable event for the market.
Reasons Behind the Revocations
The DAV's decisions to revoke circulation permits typically stem from violations related to product declarations and labeling. Common issues that trigger such recalls include:
- Discrepancies: The actual composition or ingredients of the cosmetic product not matching the formula declared in the official registration dossier.
- Misleading Labeling: Product labels stating uses, benefits, or ingredients that are inconsistent with the officially published records or are not permitted under Vietnamese cosmetic regulations.
- Non-compliance with Standards: Products failing to meet specific quality or safety standards, such as microbiological contamination limits or incorrect SPF ratings (as seen in other recent, though separate, recalls).
These issues pose potential health risks to consumers, as incorrect information or substandard ingredients can lead to adverse reactions or simply fail to deliver the advertised benefits.
Strengthening Market Oversight and Consumer Protection
The current wave of recalls is part of an intensified effort by Vietnamese authorities to clean up the cosmetics market. The Ministry of Health has been implementing stricter inspection regimes, particularly targeting online sales platforms and social media, where unregulated or counterfeit products often proliferate. Recent inspections have uncovered numerous violations, leading to fines and the suspension of manufacturing certifications for non-compliant facilities.
The DAV has instructed provincial and city health departments to immediately notify businesses and consumers to cease the sale and use of the affected products and to coordinate their recall and destruction. This proactive stance aims to safeguard public health and rebuild consumer trust in the transparency and safety of cosmetic products available in Vietnam. The ongoing enforcement actions signal a clear commitment from Vietnamese regulators to elevate product standards and ensure that all cosmetics circulating in the market meet stringent quality and safety requirements.