16 Oct – Malaysia has banned the importation of a Chinese-made food raising agent after test revealed excess levels of melamine.
Liow Tiong, Health Minister, announced that imports of ammonium carbonate from China had been stopped and that Malaysian authorities would be examining food-raising agents from other nations to make sure there were no other safety breaches.
The ban was imposed after biscuits manufactured by two of the country’s biggest producers were tainted with the industrial chemical.
Following the recall, Khiang Guan and Khong Guan Biscuits have been obliged to withdraw 18 of their 47 products.
The Minister said: "The analysis showed only the raising agent ammonium bicarbonate contained high levels of melamine... and the origin of the agent used by both factories is China."
He also confirmed his department was investigating who had imported, distributed and used the industrial substance. All biscuit plants in the country would now be checked, Mr Liow said.