Nguyen Thanh Phong, former head of the Vietnam Food Administration under the Ministry of Health, along with several other officials, has been prosecuted and detained by the Ministry of Public Security’s investigative agency on suspicion of wrongdoing and accepting bribes in connection with a ring that produced and distributed hundreds of tonnes of counterfeit dietary supplements.

This development, which has been welcomed by consumers, signals that authorities are now seriously addressing the counterfeit goods issue after a prolonged period of public concern.

In recent days, the revelation that over half a million fake milk products remained on the market for nearly five years has stirred renewed outrage among the public and consumers.

The arrest of a former top official responsible for food safety – for allegedly colluding with businesses to produce fake goods – has offered a sense of resolution to public frustration, as authorities appear to be cracking down at the ‘final checkpoint.’

So why have fake foods, fake milk, and many other bogus products been able to thrive in the market for so many years without detection?

Why were businesses violating ethical standards not exposed?

And how have even the most informed consumers been misled by fake products on the market?

A host of reasons have been cited, such as inadequate enforcement of inspection responsibilities, overlapping areas of jurisdiction, and bribery among some officials tasked with overseeing and regulating these products.

Currently, most goods – especially food – must pass through two checkpoints before reaching consumers: pre-inspection and post-inspection.

Medicines and milk for children under three are subject to pre-inspection regulations. For general food products, regulatory oversight focuses primarily on post-inspection during production and distribution.

Every stage, from licensing, manufacturing, quality control, distribution, to retail, is supposed to be monitored by relevant authorities.

Yet according to the National Steering Committee 389, in the first four months of 2025 alone, over 34,000 violations were uncovered and dealt with by agencies and local authorities.

These included more than 8,200 cases of trafficking and transporting prohibited or smuggled goods; over 25,100 cases involving commercial and tax fraud; and more than 1,100 cases involving counterfeit goods and intellectual property violations.

Authorities collected over VND4.897 trillion (US$188.6 million) for the state budget and launched criminal proceedings in nearly 1,400 cases involving more than 2,100 individuals.

These staggering figures point to the long-standing presence of counterfeit milk, supplements, and other fake goods, often only discovered years after entering the market and typically only in response to public complaints. In many instances, inspections and penalties ultimately amount to little more than temporary measures.

While the state has assigned food safety oversight to various agencies at both central and local levels, the lack of coordination and overlapping responsibilities have severely undermined effectiveness.

Moreover, the laxity in both pre- and post-market inspections has created loopholes that unethical businesses have exploited, allowing counterfeit products to infiltrate the market.

This environment has also allowed certain officials – the ‘needles’ hidden in the system – to shield counterfeiters for personal gain. As a result, fake food products have been able to circulate, harming both consumers and society.

Alongside the need for businesses to prioritize ethical practices and comply with the law, regulatory bodies must fulfill their responsibilities – and above all, root out the ‘bad apples’ in the system.

These ‘needles’ must be removed to ensure stricter enforcement, restore a healthy business environment, and guarantee that safe, high-quality products reach consumers.

Matcha seems to have taken over our social media feeds. This fine green powder (which is grounded green tea leaves) is being used in everything from healthy smoothies to decadent desserts. But have you ever wondered about the effort it takes to produce matcha before it reaches our shelves? Recently, a man working on a matcha farm in Japan shared a reel capturing a day in his life. The video has gone viral on Instagram and has left many people fascinated with this cosy “behind-the-scenes” glimpse into a routine so different from theirs.

The reel was shared by Max (@matchabae), and it starts with him getting up around 6.30 am. He puts on his footwear and takes his laptop to the kitchen, where he starts putting together his own breakfast around 7 am. His meal is simple yet nutritious: it looks to be a combination of yoghurt, cereal and banana, with some other ingredients on the side. At around 8 am, he heads to work. We see him loading his truck with black mats/coverings, which will later be used for shading the matcha. Once he reaches the farm, we see him working with others to do so. They roll the covering over the bright green leaves and fasten them in place. “The wind has been so insane. They keep getting pulled up. We saw this field having a little bit of trouble, he explains. As he ties the covering again, he notes, “It’s so specific… three times around the branches.”

Also Read: ‘Living The Country Life’ – How Instagram Reacted To David Beckham’s Viral Farm Video

At noon, Max takes his lunch break. We see him relishing a balanced plated meal of veggies, protein and rice, along with what seems to be a small dessert on the side. Around 1 pm, he resumes his work on the farm. He wraps up by 5 pm and returns to his room. He starts dinner prep at 6 pm, and we see him cooking a wholesome-looking dish with several elements, including rice, vegetables and fish. He also prepares a stir-fry.

In the caption, Max wrote, “Early mornings, long hours, and quiet dedication – this is what daily life on a tea farm in Japan looks like. As we begin Ichibancha, the first and most important harvest of the year, I’m reminded just how much care and precision it takes to bring matcha from leaf to cup. It’s easy to take a beautiful bowl of matcha for granted. But behind every sip is a rhythm of work, patience, and generations of tradition. This is where the journey begins.” Watch the complete viral video below:

Also Read: Viral Video Shares A Peek Into Japanese School Lunch Meal And We Are Jealous

Here’s how Instagram users reacted to the viral reel in the comments section:

“This is so interesting. I would just love to know what the smell is like on the farm with all those leaves… so peaceful but yet such hard work and dedication.”

“How do I get there?”

“No matcha latte in the morning?”

“Are you recruiting volunteers?”

“I’d really love to have this kind of lifestyle. So simple yet fulfilling.”

“Thank you so much to all matcha farmers for your effort and hard work in growing these amazing plants and making it possible for someone like me the opportunity to enjoy a lovely glass of matcha latte in the sun and all other matcha-related products.”

“That’s a fine life, simple, healthy and productive.”

“That’s so cool, omg.”

“I was waiting for you to drink matcha.”

“If Hallmark were produced in Asia”

“Healthy food, fresh air and enjoyable work is a dream.”

Various types of matcha recipes go viral on social media. Some time ago, a Dubai chocolate-inspired matcha drink took the internet by storm. Click here to learn more about it.

Nutraceuticals, a term blending “nutrition” and “pharmaceutical,” refer to food-derived products that offer health benefits beyond basic nutrition. These include dietary supplements, functional foods, and bioactive compounds like vitamins, minerals, probiotics, omega-3 fatty acids, and herbal extracts. 

Advanced research done by preventive medicine physicians and R & D Units have enabled nutraceuticals to prevent diseases, enhance well-being and boost health outcomes, and support medical treatments providing patient care and relief in a very big way. Unlike pharmaceutical drugs, which often target specific diseases, nutraceuticals work holistically to reduce the risk of chronic conditions. For instance, omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish oil supplements, have been shown to lower triglyceride levels and reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases by up to 25%, according to studies published. Similarly, multivitamins and multimineral combinations with fixed compositions are linked to improving aging, addressing micronutrient deficiencies and helping disease recovery better. 

Probiotics, another category of nutraceuticals, enhance gut health by balancing the microbiome. Recent evidence indicates that probiotics can reduce the incidence of gastrointestinal disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome, by 15-20%. By strengthening the immune system, probiotics also lower the risk of infections, making them a cornerstone of preventive care.

Chronic Disease Management

Nutraceuticals play a vital role in managing chronic diseases, often complementing conventional treatments. For example, curcumin, a compound in turmeric, exhibits anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, making it effective in managing arthritis and metabolic syndrome. Clinical trials have found that curcumin supplementation reduced joint pain in osteoarthritis patients by 40% compared to placebo. Similarly, plant sterols and stanols, found in fortified foods, lower LDL cholesterol levels by 10-15%, as per latest studies. This makes them valuable for individuals with hypercholesterolemia, reducing reliance on statins in some cases. Nutraceuticals thus offer a natural, low-risk option for long-term disease management and also good health, particularly for patients seeking alternatives to pharmaceuticals as side effects of long term pharmaceuticals cannot be disputed. 

Mental Health and Cognitive Function

The impact of nutraceuticals on mental health is another conversation that is increasing in medical spaces. Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly DHA, are essential for brain health, with studies in popular scientific journals linking their supplementation to a 20% reduction in depressive symptoms. B vitamins, such as folate and B12, support neurotransmitter function, potentially alleviating anxiety and improving cognitive performance in older adults.

Safety Considerations in Nutraceutical Use

It is essential to select nutraceuticals from firms where good manufacturing practices are followed and purity and consistency of the products ensured. Many a times, herbal supplements contain pathogenic bacteria which is often unchecked and unregulated. Heavy metals such as lead and arsenic may be present in products sourced from polluted places or those offered at throwaway prices. Rigorous quality control and testing for microbial and chemical contaminants is essential to reduce risks and ensure patient safety. Often to cut costs some nutraceutical firms use lower levels of active compounds than claimed in labels. Standardization, where products are formulated to contain consistent levels of bioactive compounds, is vital for efficacy and safety. Thus, while the use of nutraceuticals is imminent and essential, following recommendations from preventive medicine physicians remains important for those with comorbid health complications and also those who wish to ensure a active health outcome at all times. 

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