harmful bacteria in 1 Malaysia goods
At least one Kedai Rakyat 1 Malaysia product was found to contain E.coli bacteria while nine others fell short of standards set by the Food and Regulations Acts, a Pakatan Rakyat lawmaker claimed today.
A test of the products from two certified labs detected the presence of E. Coli and a higher than permitted amount of coliform in the 1 Malaysia-branded fresh milk, DAP publicity chief Tony Pua told reporters outside one of the outlets in Bandar Tun Razak today.
Strains of E.coli can cause food poisoning if ingested by humans.
Following the discovery, Pua today demanded the Ministry of Health inspect the 1 Malaysia-branded products for compliance with the existing food laws.
“If someone fell sick (from the 1 Malaysia products), can an ordinary citizen take the (relevant) ministries to court?” he asked.
But the Petaling Jaya Utara MP added that the product in question was no longer available since October 23.
Other products tested and investigated are the outlet’s bottled oyster sauce, pineapple jam, ice-cream, condensed milk, canned milk creamer, canned ghee, canned sardine, and canned curry chicken.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak launched the first of many Kedai Rakyat 1 Malaysia thrift shops at the Kelana Jaya LRT station in Petaling Jaya in June in response to rising inflation, which hit a two-year high of 3.5 per cent that same month.
Nurul Izzah (right) gestures during a press conference outside the Kedai Rakyat in Bandar Tun Razak, November 11, 2011. — Picture by Choo Choy May
There are now three such shops in the Klang Valley.
The shops, operated by hypermarket giant Mydin, offer 250 generic products like rice, oil, flour, bread, eggs, milk powder and diapers, at prices 30 to 40 per cent lower than market rates, as well as branded goods.
Najib said more Kedai Rakyat 1 Malaysia will be set up in other locations similar to the 1 Malaysia clinics his administration has established in states like Sabah and Sarawak.
Pua later revealed another test that found the outlet’s bottled oyster sauce to contain only flavouring and no natural oyster extract. It also fell short of the required 2.5 per cent protein content.
PKR vice president Nurul Izzah Anwar pointed out that Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (FOMCA) communications director Mohd Yusof Abdul Rahman was previously reported as saying he encouraged the public to buy from Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia because the “prices are way cheaper and they sell quality products”.
Today, she said the various ministries and agencies that endorsed the 1 Malaysia products should inspect the items sold to take responsibility for their backing.
“We can support Kedai Rakyat 1 Malaysia, but follow your own laws. That’s all we ask.
“Please review, take this seriously. This is not a political issue,” the Lembah Pantai MP said.
Pua also urged the government to be even-handed and conduct checks on Kedai Rakyat stores, just as it did on other companies.
“You must be fair. You go to all the other mom and pop shops to check their products and when they commit an offence, you recall (the products) and shut down their store. Every company should be equal before the law.
“Do your job, don’t sleep,” Pua said to the Minister of Health Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.
PAS Central Committee member Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, who was also present, said that while he respects and appreciates efforts to keep the prices low, there should not be any compromise towards health and food quality.
“And those who visit these stores are those from the low-income group. Can we sacrifice them like that... giving them sub-standard products?” he asked.
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