Thai and Vietnamese police seize huge stocks of fake MSG and seasonings

Thai authorities carried out a coordinated raid on seven locations in Bangkok and surrounding provinces, confiscating more than 240,000 counterfeit food products, including fake MSG, soy sauce, coffee and seasoning blends. The operation, led by Colonel Phuwadej Chulakasevi of the Economic Crime Division, also seized production equipment, raw ingredients and pre‑printed labels. Police warned that some items may contain hazardous substances such as heavy metals.

In Vietnam, provincial police in Tây Ninh province raided a house‑boat compound, arresting three suspects and seizing over three tonnes of falsified MSG and seasoning powders branded as Ajinomoto and Knorr. More than 5,000 counterfeit packages and packaging machinery were recovered. Investigators said the illicit operation involved extracting and repackaging raw material under fake brand labels for sale to local retailers, posing a health risk to consumers.