Vietnamese police have prosecuted 18 people, including senior health officials, accused of taking more than VND 75 billion (about US$2.88 million) in bribes to issue over 10,000 fake food safety certificates, VN Express has reported→view source.
Key details:
- Among those charged are former Director of the Food Safety Department Nguyen Thanh Phong, Deputy Director of the Disease Prevention Department Le Hoang, and other senior officials from the Ministry of Health.
- Officials allegedly accepted over VND 75 billion (about US$2.88 million) in bribes from businesses seeking to pass product registration requirements. Phong alone is accused of receiving more than VND 60 billion (about US$2.31 million) between 2015 and 2024.
- Companies paid bribes to have their registration documents approved despite failing scientific effectiveness tests. Half the bribe money reportedly went to department leaders, while the rest funded internal activities.
- Directors of companies such as Canada Vietnam International Pharmaceutical, Fosy International Food Service, and Novaco Pharmaceutical are also facing charges for bribery and document forgery.
- TSL Science Company and Herbitech were implicated in using fake test results to produce counterfeit health supplements, including children’s products like Baby Shark calcium supplements.
- Phong and colleagues are also being investigated in a separate case involving MEDIUSA Company, which allegedly produced hundreds of tonnes of fake functional foods, with officials accepting “thank you” envelopes containing VND 50 million (about US$1,923) each after inspections.
This widespread bribery scandal highlights serious flaws in Vietnam’s food safety and health product oversight.
See also: Corruption in Vietnam 2025: Types, Examples & Risks