Industrial Technology Institute (ITI) categorically rejected the statement that they have no facility to test Dicyandamide (DCD) in Sri Lanka. “ITI currently has several units of this equipment and the institution is ready for routine analysis of milk powder for both DCD and Melamine,” says Dr. G. A. S.Premakumara, Director and the CEO of the ITI.
“The world has only two methods to test DCD. UV Visible Spectroscopy coupled LC (HPLC-UV/Vis) or Mass Spectroscopy coupled LC (LC-MS or LC-MSMS). Any laboratory in the world has to use one of the two methods. In both the methods same chromatographic system (LC system) called HPLC is used. Only difference in the two methods is the type of detector used. In the case of ITI method UV Visible Spectroscopy was used as the detector,” Dr. Premakumara explains in his statement.
According to the Health Ministry, Milk Food Companies are directed to immediately remove from the market, all known milk products identified by the ITI to contain DCD, which is harmful to the humans.
The Court of Appeal today issued an Interim Order compelling the Consumer Affairs Authority to prevent Fonterra Brands Lanka (Pvt) Ltd., from publishing any advertisements in the manner and style deceiving the consumers and public that the products imported by them are 100 perfect.” This order will be operative till August 21. The order was given sequent to a writ petition complaining that the Milk Powder imported from New Zealand was contaminated with DCD.
On Monday the Ministry of Health instructed the Sri Lanka Customs to immediately suspend the clearance of milk powder containing Whey Protein on health concerns in the wake of China and Russia announcing a ban on milk powder imports from New Zealand.