Chua: Follow rules on boric acid

Star: KUALA LUMPUR: Most of the noodles found to have high boric acid content are brandless, said Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek.
He would not reveal the names of the noodle manufacturers who added excessive amounts of the hazardous substance into the foodstuff until they have been charged in court.
“I can’t advise people to stop eating noodles, but I do advise the manufacturers to adhere to regulations regarding the use of boric acid in food,” he said when contacted yesterday.
On Thursday, Dr Chua said a random survey carried out in April showed that Selangor topped the list with 19% of noodle samples containing dangerously high levels of boric acid, followed by Penang with 16%.
Malaysian Bakery, Biscuit, Confectionary and Mee Merchants Association secretary Ng Hock Leng said that publishing the names of the noodle brands concerned would be good for consumers and the industry.
Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) president S.M. Mohamed Idris said that when the Health Ministry made a statement on the discovery of boric acid in noodles in March, CAP had called for more stringent rules for the handling and sale of boric acid but was told the controls were sufficient and there would be no change.