ID :
20744
Tue, 09/23/2008 - 14:26
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/20744
The shortlink copeid
M'SIA BANS IMPORT OF CONFECTIONS CONTAINING MILK FROM CHINA
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 23 (Bernama) -- The import ban on all infant formulas,
milk and milk products from China has been extended to confections including
chocolates, milk chocolates, white chocolates, sweets and other foods containing
milk from the same country.
Health Ministry's Food Safety and Quality Director Noraini Mohd Othman said
the ban also covered "White Rabbit Creamy Candy" from China which had been
detected to contain melamine based on the latest information from Singapore's
Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority.
"The public are advised not to puchase the products stated and dispose of
it if it has been bought. Traders should also report to the nearby District
Health
Office or State Health Department if they have such products in their
premises.
"The importers and import agents involved are also required to stop the
distribution and contact the Food Safety and Quality Division immediately," she
said in a statement here Monday.
The ministry, she said, would carry out monitoring activities nationwide by
taking samples for melamine analysis.
It is an offence under Section 13 of the Food Act 1983 if melamine is
detected in foods and anyone involved in food chain, if convicted under the Act,
can be fined not exceeding RM100,000 or jailed not more than 10 years of
both.
Melamine is a chemical used for making plastics and fertilizers and rich
in nitrogen and when mixed with milk, it can make the level of protein higher
than usual.
More than a week after it became public, China's Health Ministry has
revealed that nearly 53,000 babies in that country had became ill after drinking
melamine-contaminated formula. At least four deaths have also been reported.
Noraini said Malaysia did not import milk and infant formulas from China
and this had been verified by the Chinese Embassy in Kuala Lumpur and Malaysia's
Veterinary Services Department which issues import permits for all animal-based
products.
"Malaysia also imports milk products from China produced from milk supplies
imported from Australia and New Zealand. This is a condition by the Veterinary
Services Department in issuing permits for milk products imported from China due
to the foot and mouth disease risk on cattle in that country," she said.
She said the public could call the ministry at 03-88833503 to get more
information on the current status of the issue.
milk and milk products from China has been extended to confections including
chocolates, milk chocolates, white chocolates, sweets and other foods containing
milk from the same country.
Health Ministry's Food Safety and Quality Director Noraini Mohd Othman said
the ban also covered "White Rabbit Creamy Candy" from China which had been
detected to contain melamine based on the latest information from Singapore's
Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority.
"The public are advised not to puchase the products stated and dispose of
it if it has been bought. Traders should also report to the nearby District
Health
Office or State Health Department if they have such products in their
premises.
"The importers and import agents involved are also required to stop the
distribution and contact the Food Safety and Quality Division immediately," she
said in a statement here Monday.
The ministry, she said, would carry out monitoring activities nationwide by
taking samples for melamine analysis.
It is an offence under Section 13 of the Food Act 1983 if melamine is
detected in foods and anyone involved in food chain, if convicted under the Act,
can be fined not exceeding RM100,000 or jailed not more than 10 years of
both.
Melamine is a chemical used for making plastics and fertilizers and rich
in nitrogen and when mixed with milk, it can make the level of protein higher
than usual.
More than a week after it became public, China's Health Ministry has
revealed that nearly 53,000 babies in that country had became ill after drinking
melamine-contaminated formula. At least four deaths have also been reported.
Noraini said Malaysia did not import milk and infant formulas from China
and this had been verified by the Chinese Embassy in Kuala Lumpur and Malaysia's
Veterinary Services Department which issues import permits for all animal-based
products.
"Malaysia also imports milk products from China produced from milk supplies
imported from Australia and New Zealand. This is a condition by the Veterinary
Services Department in issuing permits for milk products imported from China due
to the foot and mouth disease risk on cattle in that country," she said.
She said the public could call the ministry at 03-88833503 to get more
information on the current status of the issue.
