Imported milk powder still a contentious issue

As the imported milk powder issue gathers momentum raising concerns and confusion among the public, the Sunday Observer spoke to some of the main personalities relevant to the milk powder issue for their comments.

Fonterra and Maliban refute allegations of contamination:

ITI stands by its findings

By Carol Aloysius

As Fonterra Lanka Pvt continues to vigorously refute claims its milk powder was contaminated, in the latest development to the milk powder issue in Sri Lanka, a leading news agency Saturday, has said the New Zealand dairy giant had suspended operations in Sri Lanka temporarily, citing product bans, court cases and angry demonstrations over the milk product. Fonterra CEO, Theo Spierings has been quoted as saying that the temporary suspension of exports from New Zealand to Sri Lanka was a safety measure for its 755 people working here.

Maliban Pvt Ltd whose products were also said to have tested positive for DCD has also denied these charges. Executive Director ,Lakshman Weerasooriya told the Sunday Observer, Friday, “We re-checked the samples of non fat skimmed Australian milk powder that had tested positive for (DCD) by the Industrial Technology Institute (ITI) at our Singapore lab which informed us that there was no DCD or any bacteria that could harm human health in our milk powder products or in any Australian dairy products. This makes us to suspect that a third party with vested interests may have deliberately inserted some contaminated packages into our cardboard boxes in which the unbranded packages come in.” Asked how this could happen, he said, “The milk powder comes packed in cardboard boxes without any brand on them as the boxes carry the brand name on the cover. So it is easy for anyone who wants to spoil our image to introduce contaminated packages after removing the original packs from the boxes in our warehouses.”

Denying reports that the company would be suing the ITI for damaging its image, he said, “The ITI is a trusted institution in the country with highly qualified people. So we are not contesting what they have said about the tested samples.” He added however there could have been a mix- up of the 16 samples tested.

ITI chairman, Professor W. Abeywickrama however said he stood by the ITI tests as they were done scientifically leaving no room for error.

“It is upto Maliban Pvt Lanka to find out from where the source of contamination originated – whether locally or abroad”, he said. Weerasooriya however countered that the company was not manufacturing the milk powder locally” We get it down from Australia.

The Australian government has certified that in the past century they have not used DCD in their territory including Tasmania. He said if anyone wanted to clarify this they should contact the Australian High Commission.

Health Ministry clarifies banned milk brands

Health Ministry spokesman W.A.D. Wanninayake yesterday told the Sunday Observer that the seven samples of full cream milk reported by the media to have been banned , were in fact not banned, and orders had been given to release them to the open market.

“ They were found to have no Dicyanadiamide ( DCD) and permission was given to release these brands.” He said that the milk powders that were banned were not branded as reported. “They were full cream milk powder which came without a brand on arrival to the Port. The branding is done later by the manufacturing or supplying company.”

Asked what steps the Health Ministry was taking about the presence of whey protein concentrates, (Clostridium Botulinum) the virus carrying the infective agent causing Botulism which could cause severe diarrhoea and severe neurological effects, he said the seven member ministerial committee appointed on a directive by the Health Minister to probe the milk contamination issue which had met the Minister on Wednesday, had decided to intensify the search for contaminated milk products in the local market. The Food Advisory Committee of the Health ministry has decided release ten brands of milk powder and infant formula as it has found no Botulinum bacteria in them containing whey protein according to a media release.

With regard to misleading advertisements on milk, he said a directive was issued by the Health Ministry that anyone attempting to mislead the public with false advertisements could face court action. “We can’t force companies to withhold advertisements. But we expect them to act responsibly as the public’s health is at stake.” He said, so far there had been no misleading advertisements on milk products following the court order.

Meanwhile Gampaha Additional District Judge, Indika Kalingawansa dismissed the Enjoining Order earlier issued by her on Fonterra Brands Lanka Pvt Ltd from selling or distributing its products through agents as well as any form of advertising in a misleading manner.

Botulinum effects more harmful than DCD - Health official

The effects of infected whey protein concentrate (Botulinum) could be more injurious to health than dicyanadiamide (DCD), according to a health official.

“Upto now, DCD has no proven adverse effects on human beings according to experiments by the PANAMUSA and WHO guidelines as well as UK Toxbase . But there’s always a risk and experiments are continuing to test the effects of DCD on the Reproductive system and central nervous system,”, a spokesman for the Poisons Centre at the National Hospital, Colombo, Dr Prasanna Karunanayake told the Sunday Observer.

However, adverse effects of Whey Protein (the first extract from milk) which could cause Chlostridum Botulinium which is the infective agent carrying the Botulism disease, had already been reported in china and USSR which banned all dairy foods containing the ingredient ,he said. “Botulism is a very dangerous disease acomplaints of DCD or Whey product toxicity so far, he replied in the negative. “But the risk factor is there”, he added.

Meanwhile, on a tip off Customs officials Wednesday, seized a large haul of undeclared whey protein canisters from a warehouse in Wattala containing unaccompanied luggage.