Fake milk: health ministry passes the buck to KPDNKK

Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah says the issue comes under the jurisdiction of KPDNKK.

PETALING JAYA: The issue of fake infant milk formula comes under the jurisdiction of the domestic trade, cooperatives and consumerism ministry (KPDNKK), the health ministry said today.

Its director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the health ministry had taken note of the items seized by KPDNKK, and that the matter was under the latter’s jurisdiction under the Trade Descriptions Act (APD) 2011.

“The health ministry, meanwhile, through the Food Safety and Quality Division, is responsible for ensuring that food sold in the market is safe.

“The ministry would like to stress that any infant milk formula for sale must adhere to Regulation 389 of the Food Regulations 1985 under the Food Act 1983,” he said in a statement.

Noor Hisham also said the health ministry was working with KPDNKK to verify the safety of the instant milk formula.He added that consumers could contact their district health officer or the nearest state health department if they had any doubts about the safety of their food.

They can also visit the Food Safety and Quality Division Facebook page or website at http://moh.spab.gov.my.

Earlier today, Kulai MP Teo Nie Ching criticised the ministries for their inaction, saying the matter had arisen months ago.

Teo said despite receiving complaints on suspected fake infant formula in August, KPDNKK had yet to recall the product from store shelves.

This was after Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Hamzah Zainuddin said his ministry was awaiting the test results of the fake infant formula seized in Johor Bahru last Thursday before deciding on the next course of action. FMT