Gov't agencies join forces to monitor toxic China milk
After malls and big grocery stores in the city pulled out milk products sourced out from China, the team from the City Health Office (CHO), Bureau of Food and Drugs Administration (BFAD) and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will start to check on retail stores repacking milk products.
Mayor Jerry Treñas said, he already met with BFAD 6 Regulations and Enforcement Division chief licensing officer Delia Tarrosa to discuss their moves in preventing the proliferation of contaminated milk products from China.
As early as this, the Filipino-Chinese businessmen operating retail stores in the city expressed their full cooperation to the move of the national government in recalling milk products from China laced with melamine. Melamine is a chemical normally used in plastics.
Treñas added that the bureau will also come out with a list of other China products deemed hazardous to health such as candies and other Chinese goodies. They will soon furnish the city government of their list as soon as products are already positive of hazardous substance.
Earlier, a ban on Chinese toys, candies such as the creamy white rabbit, biscuits and chocolate was imposed. Chinese products flooded the market especially Christmas season.
Meanwhile, Treñas said the monitoring and surveillance in supermarkets and grocery stores will also continue in order to stop the milk scare especially among Ilonggos.
A consumer who was interviewed over the radio said she has been buying Yili milk for her children. Yili milk, is one of the milk products recalled in the market. She said her children like its taste because it is creamier. It is also sold in much cheaper price compared with other milk products.
She added that few days before the recall of products in the market was ordered, one grocery made a sale on Yili milk. The store reportedly sold Yili milk on "buy one take one" basis where one gets a free smaller pack when buying one liter of Yili milk.
The same consumer who asked for anonymity was even asking for sign and symptoms manifested by children who suffered disease after drinking the milk from China.
Meanwhile, in a press release from DTI, Francis Chung, president of the Philippine Retailers Association (PRA), was quoted as saying that none from PRA-Iloilo Chapter members are selling milk products from China allegedly containing melamine.
The DTI monitoring team also did not find retail establishments selling the same, the press release said.
Nevertheless, DTI advised consumers to also do their part by being vigilant.
"Before buying any goods, check the items and read labels to ensure public safety and get the best value for your money. Buy only products that are properly labeled," said DTI.