The Vietnam Food Administration (VFA) under the Ministry of Health has issued a statement regarding the recall of sterilized milk products contaminated with cleaning agents in South Korea.

The issue was first reported on South Korean websites, prompting a voluntary recall by Maeil Dairy Co., Ltd.. Investigations by the South Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) revealed that the contamination occurred during production at the Maeil Dairy factory in Gwangju.

The affected product is Original Maeil Milk (Sterilized), 200ml, with a production date of September 19, 2024, and an expiration date of February 16, 2025.

The contamination was caused by an operational error during production:

A cleaning agent valve opened for approximately one second, introducing a sodium hydroxide solution (2.8%) into the filling line.
This affected approximately 50 units, based on the equipment’s processing speed.

Although only a small number of units were contaminated, the company voluntarily recalled all products manufactured on the same day to ensure safety.

The MFDS confirmed that the affected products were distributed domestically in South Korea to a single location and were not exported to other countries.

Measures taken include: The factory was required to revise operational protocols to prevent future incidents. The MFDS is monitoring compliance with these new measures. Ministry of Health’s response.

The VFA has been in communication with the MFDS to verify the situation and ensure the safety of imported dairy products in Vietnam. While the contaminated milk is not exported, the VFA will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as necessary.

 
Vo Thu