Saturday, June 18, 2011

Bubble tea syrup is unsafe

PETALING JAYA: A Taiwanese product commonly used in bubble tea drinks sold in the Klang Valley has been confirmed by the Health Ministry to be contaminated with the carcinogen diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP).

In a statement, Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the product had been identified as the “Strawberry Syrup” manufactured by T & M Resources Corporation and imported by Elegant Solution Trading.

Two other products suspected to be contaminated by DEHP were Chuang's Square Cookies the brown sugar, all-wheat, almond and sesame variants; and Natural Beauty Drink Powder and Natural Beauty Fruit and Vegetable Powder.

“The ministry has instructed the companies concerned to recall their products immediately while samples have been taken for analysis. All retailers have also been advised to halt sales of the food products with imme-diate effect.

“Customers who have bought the items are advised not to consume them,” Liow said.

The manufacturers for the products were Chuang's King Tai Chang Food Co Ltd and Prince Pharmaceutical Co Ltd, while the importers are Syarikat Nguan Seng (1990) Sdn Bhd and Billion Synergy Sdn Bhd.

Liow also said that another 15 food products from Taiwan had been tested and found to be free of contamination, including New Choice Pudding, Lychee Syrup, Honey Peach Syrup and Black Tea imported by Elegant Solution Trading.

Other products free from contamination include Power Bifidus Yogurt Drink, Kinohimitsu Japan D'tox Juice and eight Cosway Oriyen products.

Other food products found not contaminated include Singlong Ho Egg Noodle, Sun Chi Song Hua Ban Noodles, White Jade Noodle and MIC's Taiwan Lemon Wafer.

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