LETTER | The recent fake baby milk powder case scared the nation when counterfeit versions of fake infant formula boxes were seized from supermarkets and pharmacies in Johor Bahru city by officers from the Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Communication (MDTCC). 

The incident was an awakening to the potential danger of baby food products contamination - the consequences of which could turn dire if left unchecked. This time around, we were rather fortunate that there were no fatal consequence.

The Malaysia Consumers Movement (MCM) calls on the authorities to gather cross function enforcement teams, working together with brand owners and retailers to ensure that the entire supply chain is free from such fake food products.

While the impacted brand owner has assured consumers that this is an isolated incident, MCM would have expected the brand owners to immediately recall the impacted product from the market, while determining the extent of the problem.

This was important to restore consumer confidence but unfortunately, it did not happen until Dec 15, which was almost five days after the incident was first communicated to the public. MCM hopes that a product recall is immediately implemented if such incidents would ever reoccur in the future.

Moving forward, while we wait for the relevant test results to be revealed, and if proven, the MCM calls upon the authorities to charge those making and selling fake infant formula with the strictest law available as this heinous crime could have caused grave consequence.

MCM is confident that the Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism minister will make good his promise to name and shame those involved. Punishment meted would deter others from doing this again in the future.

Consumers, on the other hand, are advised to purchase baby food products only from reputable retailers with a reliable supply chain management. It is not just about acquiring a product at a bargain but quality, reliability, and safety should matter too.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.