The Anessa and Senka sunscreen recalls and the quality of Japanese cosmetics in 2026.

The Ministry of Health recalls Anessa and Senka sunscreens. Read now about the quality of Japanese cosmetics and how to identify genuine products.

Immediately after the Drug Administration of the Ministry of Health issued a decision to penalize and recall 37 cosmetic products due to legal violations by BB Vietnam Trading and Service Co., Ltd., the beauty market was thrown into a state of extreme turmoil.

The list of recalled products includes many familiar brands on the market such as Hatomugi, Skin Aqua, Anessa, Senka, Hada Labo, Shiseido, Aquafresh, Rosette, etc., ranging from skincare and cleansing products to popular sunscreens. These are all products favored by consumers, especially in the Japanese cosmetics segment. This information has caused consumers to feel confused and worried about the quality and safety of using the products during the peak summer season. In response to this situation, the official distributors in Vietnam have simultaneously issued urgent notices to correct the information and protect the reputation of their brands.

List of 37 recalled products (Photo: Ministry of Health).

Consensus on the matter: Procedural error by the independent importer.

Carefully reading the responses from Anessa, Senka, and brands under Rohto reveals an absolute consensus: the recalled products were not officially distributed through authorized channels. The crux of the matter lies in the fact that BB Vietnam Trading and Service Co., Ltd., which was listed as the distributor, failed to produce the Product Information File (PIF) when inspected by authorities.

This is purely an administrative violation regarding the legal documentation of BB Vietnam, and is unrelated to product quality or the original manufacturing process from the corporations in Japan. The brands unanimously affirm that the goods they directly import are still legally circulating, ensuring full compliance with stringent safety and legal requirements as stipulated by current regulations.

Official announcement from Anessa Vietnam

Shiseido and Rohto Group assert exclusive distribution rights.

Major brands like Anessa and Senka have both emphasized their sole legal standing in the Vietnamese market. While Shiseido Cosmetics Vietnam Co., Ltd. (SCV) asserts that it is the only entity authorized by Shiseido Group to import and distribute Anessa, Senka confirms that its exclusive rights to the product registration belong to FT Vietnam Co., Ltd. Both companies have clarified that BB Vietnam Company is not an authorized retailer and is not affiliated with their official distribution network.

Similarly, brands such as Sunplay, Skin Aqua, and Hada Labo, all under the umbrella of Rohto-Mentholatum Vietnam Co., Ltd., have issued strong statements. Rohto-Mentholatum Vietnam is the sole legal owner of the Sunplay brand and the only entity authorized by Rohto Pharmaceutical Group of Japan to manufacture and market related brands in Vietnam. BB Vietnam's unauthorized act of registering products under this brand name is unauthorized, and the recalled products were certainly not supplied through Rohto's distribution system.

Official announcement from Hada Labo - Rohto.

Official announcement from Skin Aqua - Rohto.

A message from Rosette and how to identify genuine products for consumers.

Joining the wave of feedback, the Rosette brand, through its exclusive distributor MIREI Co., Ltd., has also spoken out to affirm its complete separation from BB Vietnam's operations. To help consumers avoid being overwhelmed with anxiety, the brands have provided specific instructions on checking information on the product's supplementary label. Buyers should pay particular attention to the name of the entity responsible for bringing the product to market, which is clearly printed on the Vietnamese label.

For Anessa, it must be Shiseido Cosmetics Vietnam Co., Ltd.; for Senka, it must be FT Vietnam Co., Ltd.; for Sunplay and Hada Labo, it must be Rohto-Mentholatum Vietnam Co., Ltd.; and for Rosette, it must be MIREI Co., Ltd. The brands recommend that consumers prioritize shopping at large supermarket chains, reputable pharmacies, and official stores (Mall) on e-commerce platforms to ensure legal rights and skin safety, instead of choosing products from unofficial or unregistered sources that are subject to penalties.

Official announcement from Rosette Vietnam.

Photo: Facebook