Need to stop using Frisure GoldaA+ and Nutridgold milk to clarify product quality

(Baonghean.vn)- Recently, parents of Tan Ky Town Kindergarten (Tan Ky) have expressed concerns and worries about the quality of milk the school uses for their children. Through research, these concerns are well-founded, and at the same time, they warn the authorities to pay attention to checking and reviewing the quality of food in general, and milk in particular, in the system of kindergartens in the province.

Parents are skeptical

In a petition sent to Nghe An Newspaper, parents of Tan Ky Town Kindergarten wrote: “In previous school years, the town kindergarten used Ong Tho condensed milk for the children to drink. In the 2014-2015 school year, the school switched to using Frisure GoldaA+ nutritional milk powder of the Eastern Food Production and Trading Joint Stock Company (headquartered in Ho Chi Minh City). During the preparation process, some teachers in the school noticed some suspicious points such as having to add sugar to the milk; the milk immediately clumped at the bottom of the cup after a short time of preparation, while the top of the cup was clear white water… Suspecting that this type of milk was of poor quality, not ensuring the health and nutritional needs of children, some teachers reported this situation to the school leaders. However, instead of listening to the teachers' opinions and re-checking the quality of the milk, the principal still directed the continued use of the above type of milk. Because of concerns for the children's health, the responsible teachers informed the parents. After learning more information Regarding the news about Frisure GoldaA+ nutritional milk powder and Eastern Food Production and Trading Joint Stock Company, we have consulted with the school, requesting that they immediately stop giving this type of milk to children.

While there has not been any serious discussion and agreement on this issue, just a few days later (late October 2015), the school switched to Nutridgold nutritional supplements from Nutrikid Vietnam Nutrition Consulting Company Limited (located in Ho Chi Minh City) for the children to drink. We suspect that this new nutritional supplement is also not good for the children's health. Therefore, we hope Nghe An Newspaper will investigate and express the parents' wish to stop giving their children Nutridgold nutritional supplements; recommend that the school organize a parent meeting to agree on the children's diet...".

Nutridgold "milk" is being used by Tan Ky town kindergarten for children.

Talking to Nghe An Newspaper reporter, TTA parent said: “I learned that in 2014, Eastern Food Production and Trading Joint Stock Company had some products suspended because of poor quality; in many southern provinces, this company’s brands were boycotted by consumers… But I don’t understand why the school still used their products for more than a year, and still used them in October 2015. By doing so, the school is taking our children’s health too lightly…”.

NVT’s parent reflected: “All food expenses for the children are contributed by the parents. Organizing milk for the children is necessary. However, we need the school to explain about the Nutridgold supplement that the children are currently using. It is necessary to clarify the ingredients, content of the supplements; the formula and dosage; the origin of the product…”. Explaining their wishes, NTV’s parent said: “We suspect that Nutridgold supplement is not of guaranteed quality. Moreover, in my opinion, supplements are only for malnourished children, or those lacking one or more micronutrients. When taking them, they must follow the doctor’s instructions and only be taken for a limited period of time…”.

Need to test milk quality

Working with Tan Ky Town Kindergarten, the school still retains full records and contracts for supplying Frisure GoldaA+ and Nutridgold products (including product catalogs; Certificate of facility meeting food safety conditions and certificate of compliance with food safety regulations of the Food Safety Department; product analysis results; contracts...). According to Ms. Dao Thi Thuy Hang - Principal of the school, from October 2014 to October 2015, the school used Frisure GoldaA+ products manufactured by Mien Dong Food Production and Trading Joint Stock Company. This product was introduced by the Department of Education and Training of Tan Ky district at a meeting, and any school that found it suitable signed a supply contract. Through the records, it was seen that they had all the required documents, so the contract was signed.

Regarding the parents' feedback, Ms. Hang said: “After 1 year of use, there have been no problems. Recently, some parents and teachers read information online and said that the products of Mien Dong Food Production and Trading Joint Stock Company are of poor quality; in addition, this company offers huge discounts, up to 40% for schools... In response to these opinions, the school has stopped using the Frisure GoldaA+ product. Because we have to ensure that the children have one milk meal a week, we have researched other schools in the area and learned about Nutridgold milk of Nutrikid Vietnam Nutrition Consulting Company Limited. After researching, we found that this company has all the required documents and a reasonable price, so we signed a contract to supply for a trial period of 1 month (from October 20 to November 20, 2015). However, parents still do not agree, saying that the school is still using the old product...”.

Leaders of Tan Ky Town Kindergarten (Tan Ky district) exchanged information with reporters of Nghe An Newspaper.

The leaders of Tan Ky Town Kindergarten explained that way, but after investigation, the parents' doubts were well-founded. In mid-August 2014, many prestigious newspapers in the South such as Tuoi Tre, Nguoi Lao Dong... published articles criticizing Mien Dong Food Production and Trading Joint Stock Company ("Fake milk enters schools" on August 18, 2014 of Tuoi Tre; "Poor quality milk attacks kindergartens" on August 18 of Nguoi Lao Dong...). Accordingly, these newspapers affirmed that Mien Dong Food Production and Trading Joint Stock Company had many tricks to deceive consumers; provided false information about the product (it is a food supplement, not milk); “On August 14, the Consumer Protection Association of Tien Giang province announced the test results of the premium nutritional product US - Sure full cream, 900 gram can, produced on December 13, 2013, and the US - Sure height development product produced on April 10, 2014 by Mien Dong Food Production and Trading Joint Stock Company (Binh Tan, Ho Chi Minh City) that did not meet quality standards.”

In early October 2014, many newspapers nationwide reported that the Food Safety Department (Ministry of Health) issued a decision to revoke the validity of the Product Standard Certificate and completely suspend the circulation of 4 whole milk products of Eastern Food Production and Trading Company Limited from October 6.

Looking at the sample of Nutridgold milk product of Nutrikid Nutrition Consulting Company Limited at Tan Ky Town Kindergarten, we can see that the powdered product packaged in tin bags is not milk but a dietary supplement. Talking with the kindergarten leader, Ms. Dao Thi Thuy Hang still affirmed that this is milk. It was only when she saw the tiny words “dietary supplement” on the edge of the packaging that she recognized this…

Mr. Pham Tan Phuong, Deputy Head of the Education Department of Tan Ky District, said that he himself also has concerns about the quality of milk being used at the Town Kindergarten. Tan Ky District has 24 kindergartens. Recently, following the direction of the industry, the schools have increased the daily food allowance for children from 13,000 - 15,000 VND, but that level is still low, not enough to use high-quality milk. Regarding the types of food, food and milk used in kindergartens, the general direction of the department is to be transparent and have agreement with parents. For milk, there must be documents to ensure legality; prove the origin, quality... According to Mr. Phuong: "In reality, it is very difficult to determine whether milk is really of guaranteed quality or not. I am also wondering whether the two products Frisure GoldaA+ and Nutridgold are produced by the same company or not...?!!!".

What the Deputy Head of the Tan Ky District Education Department said was not wrong. To determine whether the Frisure GoldaA+ and Nutridgold products are of guaranteed quality, samples must be taken for testing. However, the fact that Tan Ky Town Kindergarten uses nutritional foods from a facility that has been criticized and suspended by the press, the concerns of parents are obvious. Moreover, the issue raised by parents should be considered a necessary warning. Therefore, Tan Ky Town Kindergarten needs to temporarily stop using Nutridgold supplements to clarify the quality of the products; and needs to consult with the parents of the whole school to have a consensus in using them. From the incident at Tan Ky Town Kindergarten, the education sector and relevant agencies need to pay attention to checking the input of food in general, and dairy products (or nutrients from milk) in particular, used in kindergartens, especially in mountainous areas and remote areas where they are easily exploited by unscrupulous businessmen.

PV Group