Call for strict punishment

THE recent fake baby milk powder case has scared the nation when counterfeit version of a popular formula milk powder boxes were seized from supermarkets and pharmacies in Johor Baru by officers from the Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Communication. This incident is indeed an awakening on the potential larger danger of baby food products contamination, the consequences of which could turn dire, if left unchecked. This time around we are rather fortunate that there has not been any fatal consequence reported.
The Malaysia Consumers Movement (MCM) calls on the authorities to gather cross-function enforcement teams, working together with brand owners and retailers and ensure that the entire supply chain is free from such fake infant food products.
While the impacted brand owner has assured consumers that this is an isolated incident, the MCM would have expected the brand owners to immediately recall the impacted product from 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. The MCM hopes that a product recall is immediately implemented if such incidents would ever reoccur in the future.
Moving forwards, while we wait for 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 cause grave consequence. The MCM is confident that the domestic trade minister will make good his promise to name and shame those involved. Punishment meted must deter others from doing this again.
Consumers on the other hand are advised to buy baby food products only from reputable retailers with a reliable supply chain management. It is not just about acquiring product at a bargain but quality, reliability and safety should matter too.
Darshan Singh Dhillon
President
Malaysia Consumers Movement