Nghe An consumers need to be careful when buying candy for Tet

As Tet is approaching, people are starting to rush to buy Tet goods, in which candy stalls always attract a lot of buyers. According to the reporter's records, at the entrance areaWest Market Vinh TempleThere are about 20 stalls selling candy for Tet with the number of buyers much higher than usual.

People buy Tet candy at Tay communal house, Vinh market. Photo: NC

The Tet candy items here are very diverse, rich, and displayed quite eye-catchingly. In particular, candies and bird's nest candy account for a large proportion. These candies are contained in large bags and sold for 35,000 - 50,000 VND/kg. If the goods are imported (according to the shop owner), the price is usually over 100,000 VND/kg.

However, the worrying thing is that most of the candies and bird's nest candies do not have labels proving their origin. Some candies have torn shells, leaking fillings, and some candies only have shells, no fillings inside, mixed together...

Candies sold by weight without labels are very popular now. Photo: NC

When asked, Ms. LTH, a candy vendor atVinh marketexplained: "All the candies and cakes are guaranteed to meet quality standards and food hygiene and safety, but because we import in large quantities, we do not pack them in small packages but put them in large bags. Whoever buys how much can weigh it for convenience, but the labels are in the large bags...".

Not only candies but also popular Tet products such as sunflower seeds, watermelon seeds, jams, etc. are also sold in abundance. When customers ask about the origin, the shop owner will take out the label to prove it.

Some Tet candies and jams do not have labels proving their origin. Photo: NC

When asked if she knew the origin of the candy, Ms. Tam, a Tet shopper, replied: "I don't know either, I just listened to what the shop owner said, tried it and it seemed delicious and there were many people buying it so I bought it too...".

Not only Ms. Tam, but a common reality today is that consumers still love cheap prices and prefer the crowd mentality when buying goods, especially candy. That is the condition for poor quality goods, nosourceorigin exists on the market.

Only when the buyer requests, the owner will show the label to prove the product. Photo: NC

Not only in Vinh City markets but also in rural and mountainous areas, "3 no" candies and cakes still appear in abundance on the market near Tet.

For example atQue Phong, the authorities, through the inspection process at the end of 2020, discovered a series of candies of unknown origin, counterfeit brands, expired... and had to be destroyed. It is worth mentioning that the awareness of a part of the highland people is still limited, not knowing about these issues, so traders easily take advantage to sell poor quality products.

Authorities of Que Phong district inspect confectionery products sold near Tet. Photo: NC

Faced with the widespread situation of fake confectionery, unknown origin, no expiry date, to protect the health of relatives and family, when choosing to buy Tet confectionery products, consumers need to pay attention to choosing products from reputable brands on the market, buy at official, reliable points of sale. At the same time, it is necessary to pay close attention to information about the place of production, ingredients, date of production, expiry date and how to preserve the product, declaration of compliance with food safety regulations printed on the packaging..

NC