SIBU: The Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism (KPDNKK) is on the lookout for any sale of fake infant formula though there has been no complaint of such product being sold in Sarawak.

According to KPDNKK Sarawak chief enforcement officer Abdul Hafiz Abdul Rahim, the steps taken include checking on premises dealing with infant milk powder.

He disclosed this to The Borneo Post when asked if there were any cases of baby milk powder suspected to be fake being sold in the state.

“So far, Sarawak is still okay (no circulation of such product). Not available yet. So far, we have yet to receive any complaint from any quarters on the suspected fake product.

“Nevertheless, we are still monitoring closely and inspecting each premises selling infant formula (in the state) to ensure that they obtain their supply from valid and trusted sources,” Abdul Hafiz said.

He further said that to gather information on suspected fake infant formula would require the manufacturer to work closely with the ministry – to determine if the product is authentic or fake.

Meanwhile, according to Bernama, the Johor Domestic Trade and Consumerism Ministry recently seized 210 boxes of products suspected to be fake baby milk powder worth about RM42,000.

Johor director Khairul Anwar Bachok reportedly said the items were confiscated from drug stores and convenience stores in five different locations in Johor Baru.This followed a report regarding
a baby who suffered severe vomiting after taking an infant formula which was later found to be fake by the producer.

,” Khairul Anwar was quoted as telling reporters at the KPDNKK store in Senai last week.
Separately, on Wednesday, a national English daily quoted Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin as saying that the Chemistry Department had received samples of the fake baby formula for analysis.

Hamzah was further quoted as saying that they would wait for the analysis results so that they would know the actual content of the product before taking any action.

He also reportedly said they would discuss the matter further with the Health Ministry since it is the authority that gives the approval for any baby formula to be sold in the market.