Davao supermarkets, stores urged to voluntarily
Recall China-made products with melamine

Councilor Rachel Zozobrado yesterday urged Davao supermarkets and stores to voluntarily recall their China-made products that are suspected to contain melamine. She also cautioned Dabawenyos from buying and consuming milk and dairy products from China in the wake of the Chinese milk scandal which left 53,000 children in China sick and several others dead.

“There are several establishments in the city that are selling dairy and milk products from China and some of these products may contain the banned industrial chemical melamine,” Zozobrado said. Most Dabawenyos buy the food products from China since these are cheap compared to the other consumer products in the market.

Zozobrado said this should prompt the proper government agencies to conduct an inspection on the various establishments selling imported products to check if the China-made products that have been recalled and said to contain melamine are being displayed and sold in Davao City.

A voluntary recall of five of its products made in China has been made by Marudai Food Co. of Osaka after it admitted that these products may contain melamine. The products which were made by its Chinese subsidiary and which have been recalled are Cream Panda, Kakuni, Matcha Azuki Mirukuman, Gratin Crepe Corn and Mocchiri Nikumanan.

She said establishments in the city should police their ranks and should be responsible enough to check if they have products that are made in China which may contain the toxic substance melamine. On the other hand, she added, the government agencies concerned should already start inspecting these establishments.

Zozobrado said it is not only the Uyanguren stores that sell China-made food products but also the big supermarkets. However, she said, it has not been confirmed if all China-made milk and dairy products have melamine traces. It is to the advantage of these stores if they can place a sign indicating that no products with melamine content are being sold in their establishments to assure their customers of their safety.

She said even Singapore has found traces of melamine in the creamy White Rabbit candy which are sold in some Davao City stores. The authorities also found traces of melamine in yogurt bars with the Yili brand, and the strawberry milk with the Dutch Lady brand---all made in China,. In view of this the Singapore government suspended the importation and sale of milk and dairy products from China.