SWEEPING FOR FAKE MILK PRODUCTS
Company looking for counterfeit version of Enfalac A+ Step 1 in Johor
MEAD Johnson Malaysia Sdn Bhd has confirmed that it is conducting a sweep of retail stores in Johor to trace and confiscate counterfeit versions of its infant formula milk Enfalac A+ Step 1 (1.8kg boxes).
The move follows Johor Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry’s revelation that it seized 210 boxes of fake infant formula milk, worth RM42,000, from five supermarkets and pharmacies on Thursday.
The company said, thus far, 210 boxes of fake formula milk were known to have been produced.
It said it was working with the authorities to track down and eliminate the counterfeit products.
“Mead Johnson has been working with the authorities to investigate reports of possible counterfeit infant formula milk powder in Johor Baru.
“The searches (conducted so far) identified a small percentage of suspect products in a handful of retail outlets within a limited area in Skudai, Johor Baru,” it said.
The company assured that the number of counterfeit Enfalac A+ Step 1 (with three foil packs in each box), was low.
The statement said none of its other products were involved in the health scare.
The fake formula milk was believed to have been sold only at several stores in Iskandar Puteri, Mutiara Rini, Taman Orkid, Nusa Bestari and Taman Daya.
“An extensive market search has confirmed that no suspect products, except for this specific packaging format, in this area (was sold in the market),” Mead Johnson Malaysia said.
It said the easiest way to identify the counterfeit product was to examine the individual foil pouches.
“The genuine Enfalac A+ Step 1 pouches are puffy.
“The counterfeit pouches are tight-fitting to the powder and have distinctive, sharp creases on both sides that are not present in the genuine pouches, as indicated in the image (which has been circulating online).”
The company has advised consumers to contact Mead Johnson’s consumer careline at 1-80088-3585 to report any concerns and to receive replacements for any fake Enfalac A+ Step 1 (1.8 kg boxes) they may have purchased.
The Federation of Malaysian Consumer Associations (Fomca) confirmed that it had not received any complaints on the matter, but advised people to purchase the formula milk from established outlets.
“We advise parents not to buy formula milk at sundry or grocery stores as they might not source their supplies from legitimate suppliers.
“It would be safe for parents or consumers to purchase the products at recognised supermarkets, like Aeon and Tesco.
“There are certain quarters who are trying to make easy money by producing fake formula milk, but selling it at the same price as the genuine one,” said Fomca deputy president Mohd Yusof Abdul Rahman when contacted by the New Straits Times.
He said the authorities, especially the Health Ministry and Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry, should conduct regular checks at retail shops.
“The authorities need to make sure that this does not recur, especially with the counterfeit formula milk being sold in the market.
“This is hazardous to children’s health,” he said.