Mercury Tainted Infant Milk Formula Not Imported by Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR, June 19 (Bernama) -- Malaysia does not import infant milk formula produced by Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group Co from China which was found to be tainted with mercury said Health director-general Dr Hasan Abdul Rahman. He said this was confirmed by the import data from 2010 to date, obtained from the Food Safety Information System of Malaysia (FoSIM). The China Embassy in Malaysia also confirmed that the baby milk formula was not exported to Malaysia, he said in statement here on Tuesday. However, Dr Hasan said as a precautionary measure, the ministry had imposed a level five inspection to detain, test and release milk products from the company, should there be any imports effective June 15. Recently several local and foreign newspapers reported about the findings of The General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) that several baby milk formulas under the brand 'Quan You' produced by the company, were tainted with mercury. Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group Co had also confirmed that the products concerned have been withdrawn from the market. Dr Hasan said generally, exposure to mercury at a high level could affect the nervous system and kidneys of a person. Section 13 of the Food Act 1983 provides that any parties involved in importing, distributing, storing and retailing food containing poisonous and harmful substances to be committing an offence, he said. He said if convicted, the affected parties could be fined not more than RM100,000 (US$31,648.07) or face an imprisonment of not more than 10 years or both. "Consumers need not worry as the ministry is constantly enforcing and monitoring issues related to food safety, to ensure the health of the people. "Should there be any doubt on the safety status of any infant milk formula in the local market, consumers can report to the ministry through the district health office or the nearest state health department," he said. He said consumers can also report through the Food Safety and Quality Division at the Health Ministry website. -- BERNAMA