Chaos in advertising of functional foods: How does the Minister of Health explain?

Speaking at the 8th Session of the 15th National Assembly this afternoon (November 11), delegate Khang Thi Mao ( Yen Bai delegation) raised the issue of many doctors wearing white coats to advertise functional foods and asked whether this was in accordance with regulations and how it would be handled if it was wrong.

Responding to questions, Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan said that drug advertising has all relevant legal regulations. The Advertising Law, which is being revised, clearly stipulates that using images of doctors, nurses, and medical facilities is not allowed. In addition, the Criminal Code stipulates criminal penalties related to advertising laws.

"We confirm that using the above image is against regulations. The Ministry has sent a document to medical facilities reminding and requesting medical staff not to participate in illegal activities," said Ms. Lan.

Delegate Khang Thi Mao spoke during the questioning session this afternoon.

Also interested in the field of functional food management, delegate Nguyen Thi Xuan (Dak Lak delegation) cited report No. 1467, the Ministry of Health assessed that the legal system for managing functional foods is relatively synchronous, meeting the requirements of state management of food safety. However, the reality of functional foods flooding the market with fake, counterfeit, poor quality goods, even containing banned substances makes voters worried and upset.

Given this situation, delegate Nguyen Thi Xuan requested the Minister to point out the gaps and propose fundamental solutions. In addition, to proactively improve the capacity of the health sector in preventing and fighting epidemics after natural disasters, the Minister considered proposing to the National Assembly on how to invest in grassroots health care through the national target program.

According to Minister Dao Hong Lan, the system of legal documents on the management of functional foods is relatively complete, such as the Law on Food Safety, the Law on Inspection, the Penal Code, the Law on Advertising, the Law on Handling of Administrative Violations and Decrees, circulars, and regulations related to functional foods, etc., creating favorable conditions for the development of this industry. In fact, Vietnamese functional food products are exported to more than 30 countries, affirming their quality and reputation.

To ensure food safety and consumer health, the Ministry of Health has issued regulations requiring manufacturing plants to strictly comply with good practice standards. The Penal Code also clearly stipulates penalties for the production, trading and advertising of fake and poor quality functional foods.

However, the high profits from the production and sale of fake functional foods make this situation still complicated. Many subjects take advantage of consumers' lack of knowledge to exaggerate the effects of products, affecting people's health and trust. In particular, the smuggling of fake functional foods across borders is also a big challenge.

To address this issue, the Ministry of Health has published a list of licensed businesses producing functional foods, allowing businesses and consumers to look up products that are manufactured in accordance with regulations. At the same time, the Ministry has coordinated with relevant agencies to strengthen inspection and strictly handle violations of the law in this field, especially in the field of advertising.

As for violators, the Ministry of Health also has warnings and dispatches to relevant ministries and branches for timely handling. However, in reality, advertising on social networking sites still faces many difficulties in handling.

Therefore, Minister Dao Hong Lan suggested that violating businesses should be strictly handled to set an example, such as a measure of banning them from leaving the country.

Ha Cuong

Source: https://vtcnews.vn/loan-quang-cao-ban-thuc-pham-chuc-nang-bo-truong-y-te-giai-trinh-the-nao-ar906759.html