Strict eye on baby products
THE recent case of the fake infant formula was a rude awakening to the presence of contaminated baby food products in our country.
If that was not alarming enough, the reported seizure of fake baby diapers from a factory in Sungai Petani, Kedah by officers from the Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism Ministry a few days ago would surely be an added concerns to parents.
Is greed overpowering ethics to the point of risking the lives of our fragile beings?
These cases highlight serious gaps in the safety of products for babies for whom both edible and non-edible goods must be of the highest standards.
And while the fake infant formula and diapers incidents were reported, how many other similar cases are going unreported or, worse, unnoticed?
Due diligence must be done on all suppliers of baby products. All suppliers must be assessed for reliability, their sourcing of raw materials and operational practices.
It is the responsibility of all across the sup- ply chain to uphold optimum safety standards, whereby only quality items are sourced and safe processes are employed in the manufacture of baby products.
In fact, suppliers and providers of goods and services for babies must undergo thorough screening on a regular basis. The authorities must conduct random checks on product manufacturers/service providers, especially now, to restore public confidence in baby products.
There are solutions but these all require long-term commitment by all stakeholders. For one, manufacturers of baby products must educate consumers on how to tell the real goods from the fakes. Adding safety seals to their products is one of the ways to do this.
Also, it would be highly appreciated if an inventory of baby products citing items that are safe for consumption and use is immediately developed and made public. Additionally, manufacturers must produce proof to confirm their products are safe.
Such a high level of transparency is mandated to instil confidence in the safety of baby products sold in our country.
The licensing mechanism for baby products needs a thorough review as well. I wonder if it is possible to mandate suppliers and sellers of all baby products to obtain a special licence before they can put their goods in the market.
It must also be remembered that baby products are sold not just in brick-and-mortar shops but online as well and during special events such as trade expositions.
As such, it is worth considering the safety of products purchased from baby expos, where the food and equipment sold are often nearing their expiry date. In truth, how many of us actually check the expiry date or safety specifications of baby products?
In a nutshell, the wellbeing of our babies is at the mercy of those who are keen to make a quick buck. It’s our responsibility to keep our children safe so let’s step up the game together.
T. KAUR Kuala Lumpur