Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism (KPDNKK) and Ministry of Health (MOH) slow in action are putting the health and wellbeing of hundreds if not thousands of infants at great risk.
Despite the fact that the complaint on the fake infant formula was received by KPDNKK since August, KPDNKK has yet to order the withdrawal of alleged fake instant formula from the shelves.
As at now, after conducting surveillance for the past four months, the ministry is still waiting for the test result of the infant formula that were seized at drug stores and convenience stores in Johor Bahru last Thursday before deciding on the next course of action.
While it is understandable that it takes times to run the test, but why KPDNKK waited till 7 of December to conduct the raids? Why didn’t KPDNKK conduct the test when it received the complaint in August? Why used 4 months to surveil the market but did not alert the parents? KPDNKK’s inability to act swiftly shows that it is completely insensitive towards the wellbeing of infants. How many infants have consumed the fake infant formula in between?
At the same time, we have also yet to see any actions taken by MOH. Section 13B of Food Act 1983 empowers MOH to take action against those who prepare or sell any adulterated food. And those who contravene Section 12B of Food Act 1981 commit an offence and shall be liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding twenty thousand ringgit or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or to both. But what has MOH done since a toddler vomited after consuming the fake milk powder in August?
The adulterated product involved is Enfalac Step 1, which is designed for infants below 12 months. Babies at this age do not have the ability to express themselves with clarity and that’s why we need MOH and KPDNKK to safeguard the safety of their foods.
Until now we still do not know the ingredients of the fake milk and therefore unsure if the fake instant formula has any long-term effect to the babies.
The way KPDNKK and MOH handle this fake instant formula shows that they are completely insensitive to the vulnerability of the infants.