Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian
KUCHING: The state Health Department is aware of issues surrounding the packaged drinking water that reportedly contained high level of chloroform (0.0008 mg/l), violating the Malaysian chemical standard of 0.0006mg per litre of water.
According to a press statement issued by Local Government Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian, Malaysian Food Regulations imposed strict rules on content of chloroform in packaged drinking water compared with the World Health Organisation (WHO) standard of 0.3 mg/L.
“On the case of the packaged drinking water that has gone viral on social media, the producer has given its cooperation to ensure that any products still on the market will be withdrawn.
“The state Health Department has conducted preliminary investigations in relation to the issue that has gone viral.
“Initial investigations revealed that the officer responsible for disseminating the letter is not involved in Food Safety and Quality in the divisional health office, and therefore has no understanding or knowledge about the letter.
“Disciplinary action may be taken against the officer if found guilty of disseminating government information after the investigations,” he said.
He explained that Rule 360B (3) of the Food Regulation 1985 under the Food Act 1983 provides that packaged drinking water must comply with the standards as prescribed in Table 25, where the allowed level of chloroform is 0.0006mg per litre of water.
He said the Ministry of Health (MOH) was always concerned about things that could threaten public health.
“If the public comes across any packaged drinking water that are not registered with MOH, they can lodge a complaint to the nearest divisional health office or the state Health Department.”
Meanwhile, when asked earlier at a function, Assistant Minister for Public Health Datuk Dr Jerip Susil said he could not comment on the issue that was reported in the newspapers as he had not received any report on the exact situation.
The Borneo Post and See Hua Daily carried the news on Tuesday that a local drinking water manufacturer and the MOH are investigating into how an official and a confidential letter had leaked into social media.
The letter concerned involves the June 22 batch of drinking water that did not conform to specified chloroform parameters. It is understood that after the test results were released the company has promptly initiated the necessary corrective actions including recalling that particular batch. MOH has carried out another re-sampling on Sept 13 and the company is still waiting for the result.
The company may also consider legal action against the person(s) who had leaked the letter.