Milk Scare
The news of young infants dying as a result of illnesses cause by consumption of Melamine tainted-milk in China has been making the international news headlines for the past week or so. Two infants have reportedly died so far and reports suggest that more that 13000 infants in China, have been affected. The true extent and implications of this crisis may not be clear for many months to come. The numbers are expected to rise in the coming weeks to months.
The Chinese CCTV has thus far reported that 69 different milk products manufactured by over 22 separate manufacturers had been withdrawn from shelves in China for concern of contamination. One milk brand in particular, Sanlu, has been at the center of the scandal with reports of the contamination being non-accidental.
In Maldives, the news has caused some concerned parents and reporters from some media outlets, to ask questions about the safety of the milk products available in the country. Thankfully, the infant formula available in the Maldives are packaged outside of China. However, the exact sourcing of the milk used in manufacturing is not always clear.
- A press release from Dutch Lady Malaysia, to which I was alerted by a friendly journalist, raises concern about Dutch Lady milk products packaged in Singapore; one of the countries from which Maldives imports the widely used Dutch Lady milk range. It is reported that Dutch Lady Singapore has had to recall and remove from shopping shelves some of their products for fear of Melamine contamination. The milk used in their manufacturing was allegedly imported from China. How safe the Dutch Lady milk products available in Maldives needs therefore to be ascertained.
- Nestle’, whose infant formula products (Lactogen, NAN, etc.) are widely being used in Maldives has issued statements on their website declaring their products free from melamine contamination. The Swiss company, who had been cited by IBFAN on several previous occasions for allegedly violating the International Code of Marketing of Breast milk Substitutes, appears keen to alleviate fears among its many consumers in relation to this emerging public health nightmare.
- Mead Johnson Nutritionals, another infants milk manufacturer whose products (Enfalac, 0-Lac, EnfaGrow, etc) are used in Maldives was also quick to declare that none of their products had milk sourced from China and further that their products were free from Melamine contamination.
I was asked today, by a Minivan News journalist, by phone, if I had heard of any affected infants in Maldives. I have personally not seen any suspicious cases and I have not been told by any of my colleagues of any suspicious cases that they had seen themselves thus far. In fact, apart from a 3 year old girl in Hong Kong, no child from outside of mainland China has been reported to be affected.
Public health authorities in several countries, including Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei (just to name a few from the region) have reportedly placed extra security measures on sourcing of milk and milk products from China. While such measures from these countries, from whom we import milk products, are likely to directly benefit us too, I would like to see some efforts being made by our authorities (like DPH, MFDA and Min. of Health) and importers of potentially suspicious products to alleviate the concerns being raised by our public. I urge them to please make it absolutely certain that those products available in Maldives are safe from Melamine contamination!
Perhaps the free media has a role to play in ensuring that the interest of the public and the safety of a vulnerable population are protected. The authorities may be prompted to ensure mechanisms are in place and functioning to prevent the tainted milk from reaching our shores.
Let us stay safe. Take care.
Updates:
The death count has increased to 4. Reportedly, another 150 or so kids are in a serious condition. The total number of kids who have been affected has jumped to more than 60,000.
Locally, MFDA has finally issued warnings and certain milk products and dairy containing products have been ordered to be removed from shelves. No Melamine contamination has been dcumented in Maldives, but products with milk sourced from China have been banned.
I just hope that a system of reporting potentially affected kids is established soon. Surveilance is vital.
Unilever has recalled Lipton milk tea from shops in Hong Kong after they find traces of melamine in it. The milk used was sourced from China.
Erlier Cadbury Hong Kong also recalled chocolate candies from Hong Kong after they too were found to be contaminated with melamine. Some of these products were reportedly exported far beyond the borders of China including Australia!
White Rabbit milk candy, manufactured in China, is another product that was found to have unacceptable levels of melamine. It has been recalled.