When is the production and trade of counterfeit food products punishable by life imprisonment?
"I understand that the act of producing and trading in counterfeit food products can be severely punished. May I ask in what cases can the offender be sentenced to life in prison?" A matter of concern for Ms. Hoang Thi Ha (Nghi Loc commune, Nghe An).
Reply:Pursuant to Clause 4, Article 193 of the 2015 Penal Code, amended by Point a, Clause 43, Article 1 of the Law amending the 2017 Penal Code, it is stipulated as follows:
Crime of manufacturing and trading in counterfeit food, foodstuffs, and food additives.
1. Anyone who produces or trades in counterfeit food, foodstuffs, or food additives shall be sentenced to imprisonment from 02 to 05 years.
...
4. Committing a crime in one of the following cases shall be punishable by imprisonment from 15 to 20 years or life imprisonment:
a) Illegal profits of VND 1,500,000,000 or more;
b) Causing property damage of VND 1,500,000,000 or more;
c) Causing the death of two or more people;
d) Causing injury or damage to the health of 02 or more people, with the total body injury rate of these people being 122% or more.
...
Thus, the act of producing and trading in counterfeit food products can be punished with life imprisonment in one of the following cases:
- Illegal profits of VND 1,500,000,000 or more;
- Causing property damage of VND 1,500,000,000 or more;
- Causing death of 02 people or more;
- Causing injury or damage to the health of 02 or more people, with the total body injury rate of these people being 122% or more.
