The Health Ministry is conducting an investigation following the seizure of 210 boxes of fake infant formula while Mead Johnson Malaysia is conducting a search of retail stores to trace and eliminate the fake products.
The Johor branch of the Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism (KPDNKK) seized the fake infant formula worth about RM42,000 from five stores around Johor Bahru last Thursday.
Its minister Datuk Seri Dr S Subramaniam said he had requested the Health Ministry’s Food Safety and Quality Division director to cooperate with KPDNKK with investigations into the matter.
“I understand that KPDNKK had sent samples of the milk to the Chemistry Department for further examination,” he told reporters today.
The raids were made following a complaint that a toddler suffered severe vomiting after taking the milk which was later found to be fake by the producer, Mead Johnson Malaysia.
The five premises raided were located in Iskandar Puteri, Mutiara Rini, Taman Orkid, Nusa Bestari and Taman Daya.
The fake milk formula was sold at RM200 per 1.8kg box, the same price as the original product.
It was reported that authorities are still questioning a 50-year-old businessman, who is the owner of the five premises.
The businessman claimed he was unaware that he had been selling fake products in his chain of stores.
Meanwhile, Mead Johnson Malaysia announced that it is conducting a search of retail stores in Johor to trace and confiscate counterfeit versions of its infant formula milk powder Enfalac A+ Step 1 (1.8kg boxes).
In a statement, the company said that so far, the 210 boxes are the only known fake milk formulas to have been produced – however, they are working closely with the authorities to track down and eliminate the fake product from the market.
The company assured the public that the number of counterfeit Enfalac A+ Step 1 (1.8kg boxes, with three foil packs in each box), is extremely low.
The statement also stressed that none of its other products is involved in the health scare.
It also gave tips to concerned consumers on how to identify the counterfeit product, the easiest way being to examine the individual foil pouches.
“The genuine Enfalac A+ Step 1 pouches are a bit puffy. The counterfeit pouches are tight-fitting to the powder and have distinctive, sharp creases on both sides that are not present in genuine pouches, as indicated in the image,” the statement said.
The company has advised consumers to immediately contact Mead Johnson’s consumer careline at 1-800-88-3585 to report any concerns and to receive replacements for any counterfeit Enfalac A+ Step 1 1.8 kg boxes they may have purchased.