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MANILA,
Oct. 4 (PNA) – The Department of Health (DOH) announced on Friday that
two milk products from China were found positive of melamine
contamination based on tests conducted by the Bureau of Food and Drugs
(BFAD).
DOH
Secretary Francisco Duque III identified the contaminated products as
Greenfood Yili Fresh Milk and Mengniu Drink. Both products are labeled
in Chinese characters.
Duque said only the two products from the 30 others tested by the BFAD were found contaminated with melamine.
He
said the two products are automatically banned in the country while the
28 others were delisted from those included in the temporary ban which
they issued last week.
“The
28 products that have been delisted are found to be safe for human
consumption. However, the temporary ban will continue on Chinese
products particularly those that will still undergo tests. I advise the
public not to buy such products form stores,” Duque said.
BFAD
director Leticia Gutierrez said the products that have been tested
underwent high-pressure liquid chromatography and results show that
they have an “alarming” content of more than 1.0 parts per million
(ppm).
Gutierrez said the BFAD will release another partial list of tested products by Tuesday.
“The
list grew to some 200 more items from China. The samples of the other
items were sent to the BFAD by inspectors of our regulation division
nationwide,” Gutierrez said.
The
distributor of Yili and Mengniu, identified as Can World Philippines in
Binondo, Manila, is registered under the BFAD. Duque said authorities
assume those sold in stores could have been smuggled into the country
through parallel importation.
“The two products most likely came from a source but through parallel importation,” Duque said.
According
to the BFAD, imported products must have English translation of their
brand names on their items. Gutierrez said they have records of the
importers and distributors and they will validate the information
listed with them.
The
products that yielded negative of melamine and are safe for consumption
are Anchor Lite Milk, Anlene High calcium low fat milk UHT, Bear Brand
instant, Chic Choc milk chocolate, Farmland skim milk, Jinwei Drink,
Jolly Cow pure fresh milk, Kiddie Soya Milk Egg Delight, Lactogen 1 DHA
infant formula, M&M milk chocolate candies, M&M peanut
chocolate candies, Milk Boy, Nestogen 2 DHA follow-up formula and
Nestogen 3 DHA follow-up formula.
Also
included were Nido 3+ prebio with DHA, Nido Full Cream milk powder,
Nido Jr., No-sugar chocolate of Isomalt 2 Oligosaccharide, Nutri
Express milk drink, Pura UHT fresh Milk, Snickers fresh roasted in
caramel nogut in thick milk chocolate, Vitasoy soya milk drink, Wahaha
Orange, Wahaha Yellow, Want want Milk Drink, Windmill Skim Milk Powder,
Yinlu Milk Peanut and Yogi Yogurt Flavored Milk Drink.
Meanwhile,
Duque said he will recommend to the Department of Trade and Industry
(DTI) the filing of appropriate charges against persons involved with
the distribution of the smuggled milk products.
He also urged the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to go after unscrupulous importers and file charges against them.
“The
DOH and BFAD will sit down with DTI and BOC officials regarding the
matter. We will also coordinate with Chinese embassy officials for the
filing of charges,” Duque said.
The
DOH chief said criminal and administrative charges in violation of
Article 18 Section b of the Consumer Act will be filed against those
will be found distributing and selling the banned milk and milk
products.
“What
we need is a consolidated legal cause of action from other agencies
against persons who continue to sell such products despite their
harmful effects to consumers,” he said.
The
DOH earlier filed charges against the Sta. Lucia Metro East Supermarket
after authorities found during a surprise inspection that banned
products from China are still being sold in their grocery.
Officials
from the DOH and BFAD will also conduct an operation in Valenzuela
during the afternoon on an establishment reportedly repacking and
selling imported milk powder.(PNA) |
