Samples of imported milk powder will be sent to a world recognized laboratory to be tested for animal fat, palm oil and lactose, Industry and Commerce Deputy Minister Buddhika Pathirana said.
Making a special revelation in Parliament yesterday, the Deputy Minister said that the Ministry had received complaints that certain imported milk powder varieties are contaminated with “pig fat” (animal fat), palm oil and lactose.
He said the Consumer Affairs Authority previously sent samples of those powdered milk to a private company for tests and subsequently also made a payment for that, but the private company later declined to do the tests.
“I have a fair reason to believe that this private company, which has the facilities to conduct these tests, was bribed by the dairy companies which import powdered milk. Therefore we decided to send the samples to a foreign laboratory. We will get a comprehensive report by another two-three weeks,”the Deputy Minister said.
While emphasizing that he takes the full responsibility for every word of his above statement, the Deputy Minister said that he was ready to bring this issue to limelight circumventing all obstructions.
“The reports show that a certain company that sells milk powder made in New Zealand cannot produce its annual import volume to Sri Lanka even if it milked all the cattle in that country, may they be new-born or very old,” he said.
UPFA MP Gamini Wijith Wijayamuni Zoysa, who was the former subject minister, said that it has been proved that certain imported milk powder varieties contain “animal fat, melamine and about 200 Becquerel of radioactivity”. “These varieties do not have milk, but only powder,” he added. The former minister also named the Fonterra Company during his allegation.
Pathirana also stressed that local milk powder varieties are safe and this issue is not relevant to them. “These things are not highlighted in the media due to advertising issues.There is a research paper done by North Western University in this regard, but since it is old we cannot rely solely on that. When the issue of melamine in imported milk powder came to light earlier, these companies behaved in a very stubborn manner and even the diplomats of that country intervened in the matter. Since the CAA does not have the necessary facilities to conduct the tests, we are contemplating on sending it to a foreign laboratory. If the companies have violated the law, we will unconditionally take stern action,” he said.
NFF Leader Wimal Weerawansa pointed out that a group of academics confirmed the above allegations by sending the relevant samples to a UK laboratory recently, but the dairy companies instituted legal action against them.He commended Pathirana for initiating investigations on the matter.
UNP MP S. M. Marrikar urging for an immediate investigation over the revelation said that this issue was a matter of concern to all Muslim people.
The above discussion cropped up as a result of a supplementary question by JVP MP Vijitha Herath on a possible shortage of milk powder since the companies were demanding to increase the prices. Deputy Minister Pathirana said that a final decision on the prices would be taken at the Cost of Living Committee meeting next week.
He further complained that a certain former Health Ministry official is currently serving in a company importing milk powder for a hefty sum of remuneration.
Deputy Speaker Ananda Kumarasiri told the Deputy Minister to make a comprehensive statement to the House at a future date over the revelation on the imported milk powder.
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