Press Release
September 25, 2008

Gov't. should be held liable if tainted milk products
from China cause injury or death--Kiko

Senate Majority Leader and Independent senator Kiko Pangilinan today said the government should be held liable should there be any injury or death caused by tainted milk products from China.

"So far, the Department of Health (DOH) and the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) have only banned the selling, distribution and importation of such from China. That's obviously not enough since many Chinese products are smuggled into the country. They have also issued vague warnings to consumers about avoiding all milk products from China. Milk is a basic ingredient in all types of food items from chocolates to dairy products. Paano iiwasan ng mamimili ang mga pagkaing galing sa China kung binebenta eto na patingi-tingi at walang tatak sa mga palengke? Bakit nila pinapasa ang responsibiliadad sa mamimimili? Aantayin pa ba nilang may mamatay bago sila kumilos? We cannot take risks because we are dealing with human lives here," emphasized Kiko.

The BFAD banned all milk products from China a few days ago after thousands of Chinese infants fell ill and a few died due to contaminated infant formula. Melamine, an ingredient in pesticides and plastic ware, was reportedly used to conceal the protein deficiency in diluted milk products made in China. Though the BFAD noted that the country does not import Chinese infant formula, it has found stores in Metro Manila, Cavite and Laguna selling liquid milk from China.

"So far, DOH and BFAD have only issued vague warnings to consumers about avoiding all milk products from China. Milk is a basic ingredient in all types of food items from chocolates to dairy products. They should clarify to us what is safe and not safe to eat. This is a serious matter. It's a matter of life and death. Paano tayo mag-iingat kung hindi naman sapat ang kaalaman natin sa mga produktong eto? Responsibilidad nila na pangalagaan ang publiko lalo't buhay ng mga tao ang nakasalalay dito," Kiko said.

Still, Kiko believes not enough is being done by the government.

"The mere fact that there are unregistered food products being sold to consumers is an indication of their inefficiency in ensuring the safety of the public. Can they absolutely guarantee that no tainted milk products from China will enter the country? The government should be more vigilant rather than just informing consumers to generally avoid buying Chinese food items. Hindi dahil ipinagbawal na nila ang pag-aangkat at pagbebenta ng mga produktong galing China eh tapos na ang kanilang trabaho. At kahit magbigay pa sila ng listahan ng mga produktong dapat iwasan ng mga mamimili ay maari na silang matulog ng mahimbing." Kiko finally said.

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