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Monday, September 29, 2008
China milk scare spread in cyberspace
MANILA -- The 'tainted milk scare' dominates the cyberspace as the list of melamine-contaminated China-made milk products has been circulated through emails in several countries, including the Philippines.
The email said more than a hundred milk and milk products with melamine substance had been recalled in the market by the Singapore Agriculture and Veterinary after laboratory test conducted proved these were tainted with melamine.
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In the Philippines, business establishments are being inspected for melamine-tainted milk and dairy products. Some storeowners here have voluntarily pulled out China-made milk products from their shelves.
Four children in China have died and more than 54,000 have fallen ill after drinking milk tainted with the industrial chemical melamine, which damages the kidney.
Melamine has been found in infant formula and other milk products from 22 of China's dairy companies.
Based on the list released by the Singapore Agriculture and Veterinary, products that were found tainted with melamine are manufactured by known and multi-national food makers such as Kraft Foods, Nestle, Dryers, M&M, and Snickers.
Earlier, the Department of Health (DOH) has ordered the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) to ban all China-made milk and milk products following the completion of the laboratory test being conducted by the agency.
BFAD director Leticia Gutierrez said they are expecting to complete the laboratory testing in two weeks and will soon come out with the list of the China milk products found positive for melamine substance.
The food bureau had randomly collected samples of China-made milk products and these would be tested for traces of melamine.
BFAD wanted to import rapid melamine testing kits but these are hardly available because of the huge demands from countries that also imposed a ban against milk products from China.
Surprise inspections
On Sunday, local authorities have joined the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the BFAD in a "surprise inspection" of business establishments in the municipality of Cainta, Rizal in search of melamine-tainted milk and dairy products from China.
Town Mayor Ramon Ilagan led the team while elements from the local police headed by Superintendent Nereo Torrecampo were in charged of their security.
First to be inspected was the Grocer-E along Amang Rodrigue Street followed by the public market and the supermarket chain of Robinson's Department Store.
Ilagan said the inspection was part of the local government's "preventive measures" and effort to safeguard the health of their constituents from the melamine-tainted products.
"This is only preventive. It does not mean that all products we pulled out are positive of melamine," the mayor said, adding that he wants the public to be aware of the recent controversy involving China-made products.
Authorities lauded local business establishments for their initiative in safeguarding public health by removing from their store shelves China-made milk and dairy products until the BFAD issued a clearance.
"The inspection will be done regularly," said Ilagan.
He added that storeowners who refused to adhere to the BFAD advisory will be meted with administrative penalty including the possible cancellation of licenses.
Robinson's store manager Cynthia Madlangsakay said the public has nothing to worry as they have already pulled out of their shelves milk products that originated from China since last week when the controversy surfaced.
On the other hand, Grocer-E store manager Christina Alonzo said they decided to remove products like Anchor Wham, Lipton Milk Tea, and M&M chocolate voluntarily while the BFAD is still conducting test on the products.
The BFAD has cautioned the public and urged them to refrain from buying milk products from China until the government clears them for consumption.
For its part, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) said more than two million kilograms of milk imported from China were able to enter the country From January to August this year. (MSN/AH/Sunnex)For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Manila. (September 29, 2008 issue)
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