Saturday, August 11, 2012

Malaysia bars infant formula from Japan after iodine worry

BM KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is investigating two infant formula brands from Japan that appear to have elevated iodine levels. The resulting investigation has seen the government bar the importing of the infant formula to the country for fear it could have adverse health affects.

The ministry did note that the two brands, Wakodo and Moringa are not imported directly from Japan, but through distributors in New Zealand and the Netherlands, respectively.

The ministry assured parents that it “will maintain strict monitoring on the two Japanese infant formula milk brands alleged to be dangerous for babies, even if one of the two brands is not imported into the country.”

Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai said in a statement that the ministry would ensure that no tainted milk powder was imported.

“Consumers need not worry because the Health Ministry is constantly carrying out enforcement and monitoring activities on issues related to food safety, to make sure public health is maintained,” he told reporters on Friday.

On Thursday, the minister announced a ban on the two brands of infant formula, following a report by the Center for Food Safety (CFS) Hong Kong which found that the Wakodo and Morinaga brands imported directly from Japan had iodine levels lower than the Codex Alimentarius international standard.

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