Cosmetic and personal care products are displayed at a retail store in HCM City. — VNA/VNS Photo

HCM CITY— The Drug Administration has ordered the nationwide recall of 45 imported cosmetic products due to violations related to product registration dossiers and discrepancies between declared and actual formulations.

The decision, issued on Tuesday, affects a range of popular products, including Hada Labo facial cleansers, Anessa sunscreens, Aquafresh toothpaste and various skincare and haircare products.

The Drug Administration of Vietnam (DAV), under the Ministry of Health, has instructed responsible companies to complete the recall and destruction of all non-compliant products and submit reports on the process by July 15.

The move follows inspections conducted in March this year of businesses responsible for placing the products on the Vietnamese market.

According to the DAV, the main violations involved the failure of companies to provide complete Product Information Files (PIFs), a key regulatory requirement for cosmetics.

Authorities also found that some products contained formulations that differed from those registered with regulators.

Among the affected products are Hada Labo Foaming Facial Cleanser, Anessa Perfect UV Sunscreen, Anessa Sunscreen Lotion for Oil-Controlling Skin, Anessa Whitening Sunscreen Milk, Aquafresh Clear Mint and Aquafresh Soft Mint.

Hà Nội-based Alice Cao Co., Ltd. accounted for the largest number of recalled products, with 20 items removed from circulation. Most of the products had been granted cosmetic registration numbers between March and April 2025.

Another Hà Nội company, Hong Lam Import-Export and Retail Co., Ltd., was ordered to recall nine products, including eight items under Japan's ReiHaku Hatomugi brand, ranging from cleansing water and facial cleansers to moisturising creams.

In HCM City, IWON Vietnam Co., Ltd. must withdraw 10 products under the TIA'M brand, including Snail & Azulene Low pH Cleanser, Pore Minimizing 21 Serum and Deep Hydration Glow Cream.

Authorities said Luvum Green Citrus Vitamin C Gel Cream Plus, distributed by the company, was found to have a formulation that did not match its original registration documents.

Meanwhile, X.C.G.G Co., Ltd. was instructed to recall six cosmetic products, including TIA'M Vita A Bakuchiol Youth Serum and V&A Beauty Long-Wear Cushion Foundation, due to documentation violations.

Health experts warned that products whose actual formulations differ from registered dossiers could pose quality and safety risks to consumers, including allergic reactions or other unwanted side effects. Incomplete Product Information Files also make it more difficult for regulators to verify ingredient origins and assess product safety.

The DAV has advised consumers to immediately stop using products listed in the recall notice to protect their health.

Tạ Mạnh Hùng, deputy director of DAV, said stricter enforcement measures against non-compliant cosmetic products in recent years had helped strengthen market oversight.

According to official data, the proportion of cosmetics found to violate quality standards has fallen to below 1.5 per cent of more than 3,000 samples tested nationwide.

The agency said it would continue stepping up inspections and enforcement efforts to ensure the safety and quality of cosmetic products sold on the Vietnamese market. — VNS