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| Government warning against tainted dairy products still up |
MANILA (PMN)—Despite the ban imposed by the government last week on the importation, distribution and sale of all milk products from China after melamine-contaminated milk killed four children and sickened 54,000 others in China, Trade secretary Peter Favila announced Oct. 1 that there is still a possibility that China's melamine–tainted milk and dairy products are still in the Philippine market.
"As I've said, I will not be complacent and say we're 100 percent sure. That's why I'm appealing to our countrymen, if they knew of information (about the presence of these products), to let us know," Favila was quoted as saying in the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
Favila said Malacañang has formed Sept. 30 a task force headed by Health Secretary Francisco Duque III to ensure that the banned products would be taken out of the market.
So far, the banned milk products, including foods using milk-based products have been withdrawn from store shelves according to reports coming from the field, according to the trade secretary.
Milk and dairy products testing
The Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) collaborated with the services of private laboratories in testing milk products in the market.
As of press time the BFAD has been testing 50 products for possible contamination. A BFAD official has told the Philippine Daily Inquirer that there were products that were tested positive for melamine, but these were still to be confirmed with another round of tests.
Chinese Ambassador Song Tao vowed to solve the problem of China's exportation of milk to the Philippines and requested the media not to exaggerate the issue.
Duque included milk products marked "Made in the Philippines" in the tests saying that these products could contain ingredients from China.
More products taken out
On the global scene, Unilever became the latest company that recalled its product as it took its Lipton milk tea brand off shelves in Hong Kong and Macau after tests showed melamine contamination. Earlier Cadbury recalled 11 China-made chocolates from shops in Australia, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
Melamine contamination
Major milk producing companies and those that use milk and dairy products assure the safety of their products from melamine contamination.
Alaska Milk Corporation Vice President for Corporate Affairs Santiago A. Polido said in their website the company is not importing from China and that its raw materials come from New Zealand, Australia and the US.
Sandra Puno, Nestlé Philippines director of communications, said that after undergoing intensive product testing by Nestlé Quality Assurance Center (NQAC) in Singapore, their products have been cleared of melamine contamination.
On the other hand, in a statement, McDonalds Philippines had received certifications of quality from its major suppliers that their sources of milk were not from companies linked to melamine scare.
Customs held milk products from China
Meanwhile Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita had admitted that there is still possibility for smuggling of milk products from China.
Just last week Bureau of Customs officials have held a 40-foot container van loaded with chocolate from China at the Port of Manila.
The shipment, containing 1,630 cases of confectionery chocolate and consigned to Mars Philippines Inc. arrived at the port aboard the ship Xin Lian Yun Gang, according to Customs commissioner Napoleon Morales.
"All milk products from China are on hold pending laboratory testing and clearance by the BFAD," Morales said.
No melamine related disease yet
After two weeks of monitoring, there is no case of melamine-related disease in the Philippines reported yet, according to Duque.
"So far, there has been no report after I have given the instruction about two weeks ago to monitor. So far, wala pa [there has been none] and knock on the wood sana wala [I hope there will be none] forever," Duque told reporters after a budget hearing at the Senate.
Melamine is commonly used in making plastic, but can make milk look richer in protein. Those who ingested the chemical have acquired kidney problems. It has so far sickened 53,000 children, killing four.
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