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Sweet and banned
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Wednesday, 10 February 2010 16:21
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KUALA LUMPUR - The Health Ministry has told importers and food agents not to import China-made "Flashing Candies" that are dangerous to health.
Minister Liow Tiong Lai said checks are being done to ensure the products are not in the market and if there were importers they are asked to remove them voluntarily.
"The ministry wishes to state that it does not allow the import and sale of any food product that is dangerous to health," he said in a statement here today.
According to him, the products and similar ones from China and other countries have been placed under Inspection Level Six (not allowed to be brought in) of the Food Safety Information System of Malaysia (FoSIM).
Following Singapore's footsteps
On Feb 6, a newspaper in Singapore reported that the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore had warned food importers to recall the products.
 Bernama quoted Liow as saying that Singapore had recalled from the market the products "Kidsmania Pirate Flash Pop", "Kidsmania Flash Pop Mini", "Kidsmania Blink Pop" and "Kidsmania Baby Flash Pop" made by Zhaoqing Kidstar Toys Manufactory Ltd, China.
The products have a Light Emission Diode (LED) bulb that is covered by candy and if the bulb breaks and is swallowed by those eating the candy it can cause physical injury.
Liow said anyone involved in the import, storing, preparation, distribution and sale of products hazardous to health can be charged under Section 13(1) of the act and be fined not more than RM100,000 or jailed not more than 10 years or both.
No reports of injury so far
Till now, Liow said, the ministry has not received any report of injury caused by the candy products and if they had been bought they should be returned to the seller.
He said sellers can report to the nearest district health office and the state health depertment if they had the products or had them returned by buyers.
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