Dr Cheong (left) showing a packet of milk powder which was checked during the inspection. Also seen is Yong (second right). — Photo by Muhammad Rais Sanusi
KUCHING: Milk powder for infants and children sold at supermarkets in the state are safe for consumption.
This was assured by the Ministry of Local Government and Housing’s head of Public Health Unit Dr Cheong Yaw Liang, who noted that thus far, there had been no reports or complaints concerning imitation milk powder.
“Parents in Sarawak can rest assured that infant formula milk powder or milk powder for children sold throughout the state are genuine and safe for consumption,” he told reporters when met after conducting a spot check on milk powder products with officers from the Ministry of Health and Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Food Safety and Quality Control Unit at Servay Hypermarket at EG Mall here yesterday.
Dr Cheong pointed out that the spot check at Servay Hypermarket was the first to be conducted in the state to ensure that no imitation milk powder was sold here.
“Even though we have not received any reports concerning fake milk powders, we are now taking a proactive step towards making sure that there are no such cases in Sarawak.
“We will continue to conduct spot checks at supermarkets and even sundry shops (kedai runcit) to make sure that everything is in order,” he said, adding that officers conducting the spot checks would be in plainclothes.
He said after the checks, samples of milk powder would be sent to the lab to ensure that they were genuine and of high quality.
Meanwhile, Servay Hypermarket general manager Bong Teck Pyng gave his assurance that the milk powder sold at the hypermarket are original and safe.
“The milk powder sold here are obtained straight from the sole agent and we also display the letter of assurance issued by the agent that the milk powder available here are genuine,” he said.
Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Public Health & Licensing chief health inspector Lim Kaa Kuan and Servay Hypermarket head of Operations (Kuching) Eric Yong were also among those present.
The country was recently hit with the discovery of fake baby milk powder when the Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism (KPDNKK) in Johor seized 210 suspected fake baby milk powder worth around RM42,000.
The milk powder products were confiscated from Chinese medical shops and convenience stores from five different locations in operations conducted together with the manufacturer of the baby milk powder following a report received by the company.