The Việt Nam Food Safety Authority under the Ministry of Health on Friday ordered an urgent investigation into advertising violations for the dietary supplement Supergreens Gummies, also marketed as Kẹo Rau Củ Kera, claimed to be a substitute for fibre in vegetables or fruits.
The group of celebrities, including former Miss Grand International winner Nguyen Thuc Thuy Tien, advertising the product on a livestream before the scandal. Photo: HB
According to the Food Safety Authority, various websites, Facebook pages and TikTok accounts have been promoting the product under misleading claims. The product was registered by Chị Em Rọt Group JSC, headquartered in Thu Duc City, HCM City, and is manufactured by ASIA LIFE JSC in Buôn Ma Thuot, Dak Lak. Authorities suspect the companies have engaged in improper advertising practices, causing public concern.
In response, the Food Safety Authority has asked the HCM City Food Safety Department to conduct an immediate inspection of Chị Em Rọt Group’s compliance with production, registration and advertising regulations for Kẹo Rau Củ Kera. Any violations found must be addressed strictly according to the law, and the inspection results must be publicly disclosed.
Similarly, the Dak Lak Provincial Department of Health has been instructed to inspect ASIA LIFE Joint Stock Company’s adherence to production regulations. The investigation aims to verify whether the product is being manufactured in accordance with approved processes. Authorities have emphasised that any violations must be sanctioned accordingly, and findings must be transparently communicated to the public.
The Food Safety Authority has taken action against celebrities and social media influencers who have been promoting this product on platforms like Facebook and TikTok. Official requests have been sent to the Department of Broadcasting, Television and Electronic Information under the Ministry of Information and Communications, as well as the Department of Grassroots Culture under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, urging them to investigate and take legal action against misleading endorsements.
The controversy surrounding the product escalated after numerous celebrities promoted it on social media, with some influencers claiming that a single gummy provided the same nutritional value as a full plate of vegetables. The issue sparked intense debate, particularly after livestreams by social media personalities Hang Du Muc (Nguyen Thi Thai Hang) and Quang Linh Vlogs (Pham Quang Linh), who marketed the product as part of a collaboration between Chị Em Rọt Group and Miss Grand International 2021, Nguyen Thuc Thuy Tien, also known as Kén Rau./.
Binh Nguyen