Kulai MP Teo Nie Ching says ministry's slow action, lack of recall order on infant formula has put health of hundreds, if not thousands, of infants at great risk.
PETALING JAYA: A Johor DAP leader has criticised the inaction “for months” by the domestic trade, cooperatives and consumerism ministry (KPDNKK) and health ministry since the issue of fake infant formula first arose.
Kulai MP Teo Nie Ching said despite complaints on suspected fake infant formula having been received in August, KPDNKK has yet to recall the product from store shelves.
“The slow action by the ministries has put the health and wellbeing of hundreds, if not thousands, of infants at great risk.
“KPDNKK has also yet to order the withdrawal of alleged fake instant formula from the shelves,” Teo said in a statemment.
Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Hamzah Zainuddin was reported by Bernama as saying his ministry was still waiting for the test results of the fake infant formula seized in Johor Bahru last Thursday before deciding on the next course of action.
“Why did the ministry take four months to conduct raids to seize the fake infant formula,” Teo said, referring to the seizure of 210 boxes of fake formula from five retail outlets on Dec 7.
“Why didn’t the ministry conduct the test when it received the complaint in August? Also, why didn’t they alert parents to the issue over the past four months?”
Teo, who is DAP assistant national publicity secretary, said the ministry’s inability to act swiftly shows that it is completely insensitive towards the wellbeing of infants.
She then trained her guns on the health ministry for not being proactive on the issue affecting the health of infants.
“We are also yet to see any action taken by the health ministry. Section 13B of the Food Act 1983 empowers the health ministry to take action against those who prepare or sell any adulterated food.
“What has the health ministry done since a toddler vomited after consuming the fake milk powder in August?” she asked.
According to the law, anyone commiting such an offence, shall be liable, upon conviction, to a fine not exceeding RM20,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or to both.
Teo said it was critical for the ministries to be more proactive and caring for the needs of the babies who cannot speak for themselves.
“Babies at this age do not have the ability to express themselves with clarity and that’s why we need both ministries to ensure the safety of their foods.
“Until now we still do not know the ingredients of the fake infant formula and are therefore unsure if the fake infant formula has any long-term effect on the babies.
“The way the two ministries have handled this fake infant formula shows that they are completely insensitive to the vulnerability of the infants,” she said. -FMT
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