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DCD in milk: More tests needed before action
View(s):Despite finding traces of dicyandiamide (DCD) in four imported milk powder samples, no immediate action will be taken to withdraw stocks from the markets as more tests will have to be carried out, a top official said yesterday. Industrial Technology Institute (ITI) Chairman Wimaladharma Abeywickrema said the institute would conduct more tests on imported milk powder samples and might even send some samples to overseas laboratories for more investigation.
He said tests carried out on four varieties of imported milk samples showed that they contained DCD while tests carried on two local samples showed they did not contain the chemical, which is used in some countries to increase grass growth.“As these are preliminary tests, we cannot request a withdrawal,” he said.
The Health Ministry also said it would not issue a warning or instruct the withdrawal of imported milk food from the market because the tests carried out in foreign labs on samples sent by the ministry showed they contained no DCD. The ministry said that all imported milk powder were tested for DCD prior to shipment and after the consignment arrived.
“Tests carried out on 148 samples in SGS Laboratory in Thailand showed there are no harmful substances in them. If test results prove that samples contain DCD, the Health Ministry would not hesitate to ban the sale and use of powdered milk,” said Health Ministry spokesman W.D. Wanninayake.
According to sources from the Health Ministry, the Ministry had to send the samples to Thailand as the ITI stated that it did not have the facilities to test for DCD.
Consumer Affairs Authority Chairman Rumy Marzook said that until the Health Ministry issued a warning, the CAA would not take any action.
“We cannot order the removal of milk powder off the shelves without the Health Ministry notifying us that the milk powder contains harmful DCD,” he said.
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