All KR1M outlets have pulled ‘Kicap Masin’ from their shelves

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KUCHING: A quick survey conducted at selected Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia (KR1M) in the state capital yesterday revealed that the outlets have heeded the directive by the Sarawak Health Department to remove all KR1M-brand salty soya sauce (Kicap Masin) from their shelves.

According to one of the shop assistants at KR1M Batu Kawa, the outlet was alerted on the directives on May 22 and has removed all the 655ml (RM5.70), 60ml (RM1.50) and 335ml (RM3.50) of soya sauce from their shelves.

“Currently we have more than 100 bottles of the product in quarantine and are still awaiting further instructions as to what to do next,” the assistant told thesundaypost.

He also said they are still unsure of the specific contents of the product which prompted the Health Department to issue the alert on May 19, which vaguely stated that the manufacturer had violated the Food Act 1983 and Food Regulations 1985.

The rumour mill was however quick to point out that the product contains a certain type of acid that has exceeded the safety requirements of the Ministry of Health.

He also revealed that the product was manufactured in a factory in the peninsula and sent to their stockist in Padawan before it is distributed to their outlet.

When asked if customers can get a refund for the product, he said further instructions were needed from the ministry in charge of KR1M outlets, particularly the Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism (KPDNKK).

Currently, only the KR1M sweet sauce bottles remain on their shelves, as no health alerts were issued for that particular product believed to be manufactured by a different company.

KPDNKK state director Dato Stanley Tan as well as State Health Department director Datu Dr Zulkifli Jantan could not be reached for comments.

On Saturday, Assistant Minister of Health Datuk Dr Jerip Susil gave his assurance that all health officers statewide had been mobilised to monitor the selling of the product at all KR1M outlets.