PUTRAJAYA, June 4- The Health Ministry (KKM) confirmed that four more food products from Taiwan namely Green Tea Tapioca Ball, Yam Tapioca Ball, Vegetarian Instant Rice Noodle and Rice Noodle With Thick Soup have been found to contain maleic acid.
They were manufactured by Full Free Co Ltd (Green Tea Tapioca Ball and Yam Tapioca Ball) and Long Kow Foods Corp (Vegetarian Instant Rice Noodle and Rice Noodle With Thick Soup).
KKM Food Safety and Quality Division Senior Director Noraini Mohd Othman, in a statement, said the four products were not imported by Malaysia, but had been added to the list of 15 banned products, as a precautionary measure.
“Furthermore, KKM will also impose the Land, Test, and Release measure on the same food products from other companies in Taiwan (intended for export into the country), unless importers can furnish analysis certificates from a laboratory which is recognised by the Taiwan FDA, confirming that their products are not tainted by maleic acid,” according to the statement.
According to the statement, KKM was also closely monitoring food products from Taiwan which were already in the local market, and the public could get further details by contacting the KKM Food Safety and Quality Division by calling 03-888 33652 or 03-888 33653 or by surfing KKM’s website.
On Wednesday, KKM in a statement said the ministry had suspended the import of 11 products by several Taiwanese food manufacturers, including ‘Tapioca Balls’ or ‘Tapioca Pearls’ used for making ‘Bubble Tea’ drinks because it contained maleic acid.
The use of the ingredient is not allowed under the Food Regulations 1985 because it could damage the kidneys if taken in large amounts.
– BERNAMA
