Vigilant over baby formula
Consumers extra careful now when shopping for infant milk
JOHOR BARU: Consumers are more cautious and taking no chances after the seizure of 210 boxes of allegedly fake infant formula here last week.
Taman Perling Caring Pharmacy pharmacist Tay Hui Zong, 32, said prior to the case, the majority of them did not bother to open boxes on the spot.
She said they would have to pay for the formula first before being allowed to inspect if the products were genuine.
“We don’t blame them,” said Tay.
She said consumers were able to spot the difference between fake and genuine infant formula based on photos of packaging provided by milk producers.
Tay said while infant formula prices at most pharmacies were slightly higher than in medical halls, consumers did not mind forking out the extra ringgit for peace of mind.
A pharmacist in downtown Johor Baru, who declined to be named, said the outlet recorded good sales for infant formula after news on fake formula was reported in the media and shared by netizens on social media.
He said the majority of customers at the outlet were Singaporeans as infant formula sold in Johor Baru was cheaper due to the strong Singapore dollar.
Housewife Amanda Heng, 28, who just gave birth to a baby girl last week, said she would rather breastfeed her baby.
“I was scared after reading about it in newspapers and com ments by netizens on social media,” she said.
Johor Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry director Khairul Anwar Bachok said the ministry is still waiting for test results by the Chemistry Department.
“We hope the department will release its findings this week,” he said.
Khairul said there have been no reports of fake infant formula after his officers seized 210 boxes of fake formula in five raids here.
They were conducted on Dec 7 at five premises comprising medical halls and convenience stores belonging to the same owner following complaints by milk producers.
The fake infant formula boxes were placed with the original ones on shelves and sold at the same price of about RM200 each.