Health Dept seizes health product for misleading label stating it can ‘cure, prevent’ any disease

0

Medical officers checking details of the product during the operation.

KUCHING: The Health Department has seized 45 packets of a health food product worth close to RM3,000 from a retail shop here today.

The seizure was made following a special operation conducted by the Food Quality and Safety Unit of Kuching Division Health Office.

The operation was led by Food Technology officer Christine Yeo, together with 14 officers.

“The seizure today was carried out because of the label of the health product, which may mislead customers and is an offence under Section 32B of the Food Act 1983,” she said.

For the offence, a compound of RM3,000 would be issued to the premises.

If the compound is not paid, the case would be brought to court and if found guilty, the accused shall face a fine of RM10,000 or two years imprisonment or both.

Last year, the Kuching Health Office issued three compound notices under Section 32B of the Food Act 1983 worth RM8,500.

Yeo also said that those who wish to have their health products properly labelled should apply to the Health Department’s headquarters in Putrajaya, for a fee of RM250.

She pointed out that under the law, no medical product should be labelled that it can “cure or prevent any disease”.

Yeo also said the operation today was held simultaneously across the nation and cover two premises.