Nghe An confiscated 7,630 moon cakes of unknown origin.

Many shipments of unknown origin were discovered.

Taking a look around the moon cake market this year, it is easy to see that besides cakes from companies, famous brands and some handmade cakes, there are also imported cakes from foreign countries, mainly from China, Taiwan,...

According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Tam, a union officer of a company in Vinh City, to prepare gifts for children of staff and employees, she surveyed the market.moon cakesbut it is like being lost in a “maze” and currently still unable to buy. Because “still hesitating between company cakes, handmade cakes and foreign-labeled cakes with beautiful designs and cheaper prices, but not very secure when the labels are unclear...”.

6,200 moon cakes of unknown origin were seized by authorities on August 19. Photo: QLTTNA

In reality, it can be seen that Ms. Tam's worries are completely grounded when recently the authorities have seized many batches of moon cakes of unknown origin. For example, on August 19, 2020, from the information reported by the facility, Market Management Team No. 1 - DepartmentNghe An Market Managementcoordinated with the Environmental Police Department (Provincial Police) to search 03 black sacks in Block 2, Dien Chau Town, Dien Chau District. Thereby, discovered inside containing 6,200 moon cakes of unknown origin.

The authorities have temporarily detained all of the above goods to verify and clarify the details of the violations for handling according to regulations. On August 25, 2020, after identifying and working with the owner of the above goods, Market Management Team No. 1 issued a Decision to handle administrative violations against Mr. NTS, residing in Dien Phuc commune, Dien Chau district, for trading in goods of unknown origin with a total fine of nearly 30 million VND.

Previously, on August 14, 2020, Market Management Team No. 11 coordinated with the Environmental Police Department and Traffic Police Team 1-46 (Provincial Police) to inspect a truck with license plate 37C - 343.98 driven by Nguyen Dinh Hai. Thereby, the Inspection Team discovered that the vehicle was transporting 1,430 moon cakes without invoices, documents, and of unknown origin. The value of the infringing goods was 21,450,000 VND. The Inspection Team proceeded to handle the above shipment in accordance with the provisions of law.

Authorities inspected and seized Chinese-made goods at a children's toy business on Le Huan Street, Vinh City. Photo: PV

Along with moon cakes, this is also an occasion to consume a large amount of children's toys. In addition to traditional, educational products for children, many people, for profit, are willing to trade in banned, poor quality goods containing many toxic chemicals that affect children's health. Specifically, recently, on September 16, 2020, Market Management Team No. 3 - Nghe An Market Management Department coordinated with the Economic Police Department (Provincial Police) to inspect a children's toy business on Le Huan Street, Vinh City.

Through inspection, it was discovered that the establishment was trading 180 children's toy fans made in China, without invoices, vouchers, or legal documents to prove the legal origin of the goods.

Previously, on September 8, 2020, Market Management Team No. 4 - Nghe An Market Management Department inspected a children's toy business in Quynh Chau commune, Quynh Luu district, owned by Ms. Le Thi Hien. Through the inspection, it was discovered that the business was selling 24 children's toy guns without invoices, documents, or legal papers.

On August 27, 2020, Market Management Team No. 3 - Nghe An Market Management Department coordinated with the Economic Police Team, Vinh City Police to inspect a children's toy business in Hong Son Ward, Vinh City. Through the inspection, it was discovered that the business was trading 470 children's toys made in China, without invoices, vouchers, or legal documents to prove the legal origin of the goods. Market Management Team No. 3 handled the case in accordance with the law.

Strengthen inspection and handling

Mr. Nguyen Van Thang - Captain of Market Management Team No. 3, Nghe An Market Management Department said: In a short period of time, thousands of mooncake products of foreign origin were seized due to lack of documents proving quality inspection and origin. In order to trade successfully, the subjects often change their methods of operation, means of transport and even change the location of goods gathering continuously.

An officer of the Criminal Investigation Department (Provincial Police) added: In addition to some owners collecting smuggled cakes to sell in grocery stores, there are many cases of them also selling them online. Controlling the buying and selling of moon cakes online is a "difficult problem" for the authorities, while people still have the mentality of wanting cheapness and convenience...

Market Management Team No. 1 - Nghe An Market Management Department coordinated with the Environmental Police Department (Provincial Police) to inspect moon cakes of unknown origin. Photo: QLTTNA

Regarding children's toys, although there are many inspections and handlings, the situation of trading toys without labels, without invoices or documents proving their origin still appears widely in stores, markets, in front of some hospitals, school gates, parks... Normally, store owners only display a few types of small toys, if discovered, they will only be confiscated and administratively fined, and the storage point is often disguised elsewhere, not easy to be caught.

Not to mention, the market management force can only check the vehicles at stops, parking lots, and warehouses in the area. Many times, when they catch violating goods, they only destroy them and impose administrative fines of tens of millions of dong without any stronger measures. Meanwhile, the reason why this item is still traded is because of the high profits, and many parents are easygoing when choosing for their children or let their children buy them at will because of the cheap price. This inadvertently helps violent toys of unknown origin and unsafe to exist.

According to the authorities, smuggled toys are often made from recycled materials, secondary plastics, which are very likely to contain lead residue or other toxic substances exceeding the permitted level. Because they are smuggled, without inspection or quality assessment, they are not safe for children. More worryingly, among these are many products that are violent, anti-educational, can cause injury, and have a negative impact on children's personality development such as guns, swords, etc.

Authorities destroyed moon cakes of unknown origin on the afternoon of August 27, 2020 at the Waste Treatment Area in Hamlet 9, Dien Loi Commune, Dien Chau District. Photo: QLTTNA

Talking to us, Mr. Tran Dang Ninh - Director of Nghe An Market Management Department said: Since August 2020, Nghe An Market Management Department has issued an official dispatch directing Market Management teams to closely monitor the area, requesting to strengthen market inspection and control before, during and after the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Specifically, for moon cakes, the Market Management Teams will focus on inspecting the transportation, production, and trading of moon cakes and cake ingredients. Focus on food safety conditions such as hygiene conditions of production facilities, workshops, equipment conditions, especially spontaneous production facilities, operating without permits, and not ensuring food safety conditions in production. Timely prevent smuggling, unclear origin, and not ensuring food safety quality.

Nghe An Market Management organizes the annual destruction of smuggled, toxic, and violence-inciting toys. Photo: D.C.

Regarding children's toys, strengthen inspection and handling of violations by organizations and individuals trading in smuggled children's toys, smart toys, multi-function toys, toxic children's toys, and smuggled violence-inciting toys. Focus on checking the origin, source, invoices, documents, product labeling, conformity certificates and other legal regulations in the management of children's toys...

Up to now, through coordination, Nghe An Market Management Department has confiscated 7,630 moon cakes of unknown origin, with a total fine of nearly 50 million VND, and nearly 1,300 children's toys that are smuggled and banned goods of all kinds with a total fine of nearly 100 million VND.

However, to have a safe Mid-Autumn Festival, in addition to the efforts and strict handling of the authorities, consumers also need to be alert and smart when choosing goods. The market management agency noted that imported moon cakes sold must have a sub-label in Vietnamese, the importer must prove the origin through invoices, import declarations, food hygiene and safety certificates... With products that do not have the above factors, consumers need to be careful, should not buy and use to avoid the situation of "losing money and getting sick".

For children's toys, it is best to choose toys from reputable manufacturers with clear origins. When choosing to buy, pay attention to the CR certification mark (certification that the product has been quality tested before being circulated).