Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) wants the Health Ministry to release a list of banned food products in light of the poisoned milk scandal in China and potential effects on human health.

Health policy and research manager Chiah Chee Ho said the ministry should be more transparent in informing the public about questionable products, including banned dairy products from China.

“They should release the list as soon as possible because this affects everyone, including children. Otherwise it would be dangerous for consumers,” he told Malaysiakini today.

Information on the product brands and manufacturers should be included in the list, to assist consumer awareness, said Chiah.

He lauded government efforts to prompt the removal of such products from the shelves, stressing that consumers should stay clear of such products until these are proven safe.

tainted milk product from china 230908 China, a key trading partner of Malaysia, came under fire last week after four infants died and some 53,000 babies were diagnosed with ailments after consuming melamine-tainted dairy products.

The chemical has sometimes been unethically added into food products to boost their apparent protein content.

The protein levels of food products are done by measuring the nitrogen content, and adding nitrogen-rich compounds such as melamine can mislead the tests.

The Health Ministry has, since then, widened its import ban on all confectionary products containing milk, chocolate, chocolate milk, white chocolate and other milk-based foods from China.

It released a list of products which are deemed safe. [See full list]

The ministry has confiscated the products and is conducting nationwide monitoring. Its director-general Dr Ismail Merican yesterday assured consumers that dairy products in the country are safe as they were imported from Australia and New Zealand.

Central food-clearing agency

The Consumers Association of Penang has urged the government to do more than just release the list of banned products.

When contacted today, its president SM Mohamed Idris said a central food-clearing agency must be set up to inspect products that are being imported.

sm mohd idris “It should be set up so that products can be constantly checked,” he said, stressing that such agencies have been set up in developed countries like the US and UK.

Mohamed Idris did not rule out the possibility of banned products being sent to rural areas after being removed from shelves in towns.

“Consumers from urban areas are well aware of the banned products because they have an easy access to information, but what about people in rural areas?” he asked.

“There is a possibility of (the items being sent to rural areas) and the government has to take precautionary measures (against this happening).”

Health Ministry's list of safe dairy products