A counterfeit case involving 17,000 tanks of baby formula was recently cracked by the Shanghai Municipal Public Security Bureau. However, despite being counterfeit, the formula was determined by the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) to meet national safety standards and pose no health threats. 

The main suspect, surnamed Chen, along with six other accomplices, counterfeited several well-known brands of baby formula and sold them to distributors across the country. On Jan. 8, the suspects were arrested by the public security bureau.

On learning of the case, the CFDA requested that its Shanghai branch assist the public security authorities, said a CFDA official, adding that the food safety committee of the State Council also assigned officials to follow the case in Shanghai.

A subsequent inspection proved that the quality of the counterfeit products is up to national standards, the CFDA official confirmed.

According to CFDA regulations, third-party vendors of baby formula must examine and record each purchase in accordance with the Food Safety Law. Platforms that host and facilitate the sale of baby formula should also carefully vet vendors, as the CFDA will pursue joint liability for vendors and third-party platforms involved in selling counterfeited goods.