More hands needed for candy crush effort, says CAP

 

Schoolchildren seen buying sweets from a roadside hawker outside their school. A 10-year-old boy died last month after choking on gummy candy. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: 

The government should rope in officials from various agencies if the health ministry lacks sufficient manpower to ensure dangerous candies are not sold to children, says a consumer group.

Consumers Association of Penang senior education officer N V Subbarow suggested that the government could also involve the domestic trade and cost of living ministry, the customs department, Rela, and even the police.

“Treat this issue as an urgent matter… do not only confiscate but withdraw licences of those who flout the law and take them to court as well,” he said.

His call comes a week after a 10-year-old schoolboy in Penang died after choking on a piece of gummy candy bought outside SK Sungai Dua in Butterworth. The health ministry then banned the sale of the candy and promised further action.

Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) chief executive officer Saravanan Thambirajah called for business owners and importers to be held responsible for ensuring that food products met strict safety and quality standards.

He also suggested that the public help the health ministry by reporting unsafe products through accessible complaint channels.

“Enforcement alone is not sufficient,” he said. “A multi-pronged approach is needed, combining regulations, enforcement, public awareness, and industry accountability.” - FMT