Thursday, September 25, 2008 Bfad checks other dairy products too, asks importers to help block tainted stocks
WHILE one powdered milk brand obtained from a store in downtown Cebu has yet to pass an inspection by the Bureau of Food and Drugs (Bfad), Central Visayas remains free from contaminated milk, officials assured yesterday.
But to make sure that other dairy products are not contaminated with melamine, Bfad 7 has decided to widen the scope of its monitoring operations.
Bfad 7 food and drugs regulation officer II Grace Cardona clarified they did not confiscate the powdered milk from one of the stores, but rather, the storeowner willingly handed over the powdered milk stocks.
“The owner wanted to have it examined,” said Cardona.
Only the brand of the milk product was clearly visible on the sack, which lacked the manufacturer’s name and its country of origin. Bfad, however, has asked that the brand not be identified until the test results are in.
Cebu City Market Administrator Rachel Arce yesterday morning sent out personnel to the 10 public markets of the city to look for imported milk products being sold there.
She received instructions through a text message from City Administrator Francisco Fernandez for her office to monitor the markets.
So far, she said, there was no report that imported milk was being peddled in the city’s markets, which include Carbon.
Cost-cutting
In a speech in New York, where he is attending the United Nations General Assembly, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said the government “is taking resolute measures to ensure product quality.”
Baby milk powder adulterated with the industrial chemical melamine has caused about 54,000 Chinese babies to fall ill and is blamed for the deaths of four infants.
Melamine, used to make plastics and fertilizer, has been found in infant formula and other milk products from 22 Chinese dairy companies. Suppliers trying to cut costs are believed to have added it to watered-down milk because its high nitrogen content masks the resulting protein deficiency.
The chemical has caused kidney stones in children and can lead to kidney failure.
After a health advisory from Bfad, regional health officers set out to monitor stores in Cebu to determine whether China-manufactured milk products were sold in the region.
More brands
Bfad 7 assured the public there were no importers from China that sold milk products in Central Visayas, after inspecting leading supermarkets in the region and stores in downtown Cebu.
“For the protection of the public, we are also checking other milk products. This is done on our own initiative by the Bfad 7,” said Cardona.
Cardona added that they would be also taking samples from other milk brands as well, even though they might not necessarily come from China.
For the benefit of the public and the consumers, Cardona advised importers and distributors to make sure where they are getting their products.
Consumers and importers are advised to look at the product’s label, country of origin and its manufacturer. (EPB/RHM/With AP)
