In a press conference held on March 14, representatives of Chị Em Rọt Group (CER) issued a public apology for inaccurate claims regarding their Kera vegetable candy.

The company, along with influencers Quang Linh Vlogs and Hang 'Du Muc,' admitted to mistakes stemming from inexperience and lack of oversight.

Kera candy, produced by Asia Life under CER’s distribution, had been promoted with exaggerated claims such as “one candy equals an entire plate of vegetables.” These statements triggered public backlash for being misleading.

Both Quang Linh Vlogs and Hang 'Du Muc,' who are shareholders in CER, participated in the marketing campaign, further amplifying the controversy.

Admission of errors and public apology

At the press conference, CER representatives expressed regret, acknowledging that the company’s youth and inexperience had led to marketing missteps.

CEO Le Tuan Linh admitted: "We did not anticipate this outcome. Moving forward, we will refine our business operations to ensure greater accuracy and professionalism."

Quang Linh Vlogs also addressed his involvement, clarifying that he never claimed Kera could replace vegetables but rather that it was a nutritional supplement. He apologized for any misunderstanding that his words may have caused.

To further clarify the production process, CER representatives stated that raw materials for Kera candy were sourced from verified regions such as Lam Dong, Dak Lak, and Binh Thuan. They assured that production adhered to strict quality control measures.

Response to Chinese product similarities and sales figures confusion

Another major concern raised was the similarity between Kera candy and a product from China, leading to speculation that Kera was imported rather than domestically produced.

CER denied this, stating that Kera was launched in late 2024, whereas the Chinese product only appeared online in early 2025. The company suggested that Chinese manufacturers had copied Kera’s design for marketing purposes.

CER also corrected discrepancies in reported sales figures. While initial statements on TikTok claimed 100,000 units had been sold, Asia Life's records indicated only 40,000–50,000. The company attributed this to miscommunication and has since verified that over 100,000 units had been distributed.

Refund policy and future plans

In light of the controversy, CER announced that customers dissatisfied with Kera could request refunds. CEO Le Tuan Linh assured: "We are fully prepared to reimburse customers. Anyone wishing to return their purchase can simply provide their order history and receipts."

The company has also pledged to enhance transparency and product quality, committing to research and development efforts for future releases.

Regulatory investigation and next steps

Following public scrutiny, the Department of Food Safety under the Ministry of Health launched an investigation into Kera candy's advertising practices.

Additionally, the Department of Food Safety in Ho Chi Minh City has conducted tests on Kera to verify its nutritional claims, with results pending.

Authorities in Dak Lak also inspected Asia Life’s manufacturing facility, confirming that while they had produced Kera for CER, the formulation was provided by CER. No independent vegetable farm was found at the production site, further fueling concerns about ingredient sourcing.

Vo Thu