Fake milk powder suspected to be sold in Johor

Johor Domestic Trade and Consumerism Ministry has announced that it has seized 210 boxes of baby milk powder that are suspected to be fake.

Khairul Anwar Bachok, the Johor Domestic Trade and Consumerism Ministry’s state director, said that the items were confiscated on Thursday (7 December) from Chinese medical shops and convenience stores in five locations across Johor Baru, which are located in Iskandar Puteri, Taman Mutiara Rini, Taman Orkid, Taman Daya and Taman Nusa Bestari.

Mr Khairul said that according to the investigation, all the stores belong to one man, who were in his late 50s. He said that he was not aware that some of the milk he sold were fake.

Local media reported that the milk power cans were placed with the original ones on the shelves and sold at the same price as the original ones, for about RM200 each.

Mr Khairul said that the raid was conducted after a baby was reported to suffer severe vomiting after taking infant formula that was later found to be the fake and that the manufacturer was being involved.

He also noted that the items seized were reported to be worth about RM42,000 (S$14,000), adding that he is still waiting for the Chemistry Department to issue the content of the suspected fake milk.

"Based on information from the producers, they suspected that the milk content is artificial and they are able to claim the differences in their milk packages, even if they look almost the same as the original," Mr Khairul said.

"Earlier investigations also found invoices found on the boxes were using fake names and addresses of counterfeit companies to confuse the authorities," he noted.

According to Malaysia's law, offenders face a RM10,000 fine or jail term of not more than three years or both, for each item exhibited.