Two Vietnamese market watchdog officers will be sanctioned as per regulations for their improper behaviors when they were on duty during an inspection to clarify whether a baby and mom store chain sells products under modified labels, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

The trade ministry has released conclusion of a two-month review on the inspection into Con Cung (Beloved Kid) baby and mom store chain, on Thursday afternoon.

The re-evaluation followed an order by the trade ministry in August, as it is alleged that some Market Surveillance Agency’s officers committed wrongdoings when checking the chain.

According to the trade ministry, the Market Surveillance Agency obeyed regulations when directing its divisions in 29 cities and provinces to examine Con Cung stores in these localities.

However, during the inspection, the two deputy directors of the Market Surveillance Agency, Nguyen Trong Tin and Tran Hung, “showed signs of violating laws and the ministry’s regulations on making public statement,” the ministry’s conclusion said.

The two market watchdog officers’ behaviors thus “caused misunderstanding in public opinion and bad effects on the enterprise’s business.”

Particularly, the Ministry of Industry and Trade affirmed that some information provided to the press during the inspection process was “not exactly accurate” and “caused consumers to question about what and how many infringements the company committed to.”

Tin and Hung, as Party members, now face penalties from the Party committee at the market surveillance agency.

Besides that, the trade ministry’s conclusion also mentioned that general director of the Market Surveillance Agency Trinh Van Ngoc was previously asked to draw experience on management and making direction as a head of the market monitoring agency.

Con Cung is a popular Vietnamese store chain specializing in providing products for women during pregnancy and postpartum, and babies under seven years old.

The chain made headlines in July upon allegation of dishonest labelling, but was then cleared of such suspicion following a July-August investigation into hundreds of its outlets countrywide, and was only fined VND250 million (US$10,750) for administrative violations found during the inspection.

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