BB :: Boon’s Blog

Friday October 17, 2008

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PUTRAJAYA: Eighteen types of biscuits bearing the Khong Guan and Khian Guan brands have been found to contain excessive levels of melamine.

Health Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said the contamination is from the raising agent ammonium bicarbonate from China which was used to produce the biscuits.

Quick action: Sundry shopowner, Tan, said she would remove the biscuits from her shelves eventhough she has yet to hear from them.

As a result, Liow said, ammonium bicarbonate from China was now banned. Ammonium bicarbonate from other countries would be taken for tests.

“Results from our tests found that the melamine level in the ammonium carbonate used

for Khong Guan and Khian Guan biscuits is 33.4ppm and 508ppm respectively,” he told a press conference on Thursday.

The permissible level of melamine is 2.5 parts per million (ppm).

He said 18 out of 47 products had been found with excessive levels of melamine and the manufacturer has been instructed to recall them.

“We have also requested that they voluntarily recall the rest of their products,” he said.

“All factories that use ammonium bicarbonate from China will have their products tested. We will test all biscuits in the country,” he said.

Earlier, the ministry had found Ego White Rabbit Creamy Candy and Taro brand biscuit by Bairong to contain excessive levels of melamine and ordered that the products be withdrawn.

He said the ministry was checking Julie’s Crackers and Mali unsweetened condensed milk which was reported in the media to contain excessive levels of melamine.

Liow said consumers could contact the Food Services and Quality division at 03-8883 3655/3503/3652/3500 for information.

Khong Guan Sdn Bhd and Khian Guan Biscuit Manufacturing Company Sdn Bhd, in a joint statement, said they would fully cooperate with the ministry and would ensure that the products were recalled quickly.

The two companies said they have ceased using ammonium bicarbonate from China and had switched to those sourced from other countries.

“Khian Guan and Khong Guan have never used any dairy ingredients of Chinese origin in our products. All our dairy ingredients are sourced from either Australia or New Zealand,” they added.

With the fasting month well underway, most people will be counting the days and hours to Raya and now there’s even more reason to do so with the Raya Treats from Coke promotion which is giving away RM100.00 every hour of the day until 15th November 2008. =A0

In addition to the 1,368 prizes of RM100.00 in cash to be given away every single hour, winners can also redeem McDonald’s sundaes until the end of October. While the promotion initially offered petrol vouchers, the prize was changed to cash vouchers as it is more relevant during the festive season, said Lin Jo-Yi, Brand Manager, Coca-Cola Trademark.

To get a Raya treat from Coke, just get a specially marked festive 500ml, and 1.5 litre bottle of Coca-Cola, Vanilla Coke or Sprite then SMS the code under the cap to 33011 and if you have a winning code, just answer the simple question that follows.

To redeem a McDonald’s Sundae, just present a tab from the specially marked Coca-Cola, Vanilla Coke or Sprite 325ml cans which have McD printed under it when purchasing a Big McValue Meal during the promotion period. The McDonald’s promotion will be until the 31st October 2008.

For additional details; please visit: www.coke.com.my