By Tessa Wong
Political Correspondent
twong@sph.com.sg

 

AS THE China tainted-milk scandal unfolds, Singaporean consumers have been flooding hotlines and forums with questions about what's safe to consume, and what's not.

Yesterday alone, Singapore's Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) received 380 calls and 400 emails from worried consumers. Media outlets, such as the Straits Times, have also been fielding letters and emails.

Queries and concerns have ranged from the reasonable to the slightly bizarre. 

On one end, I've received e-mails from consumers asking why certain banned products, such as Dutch Lady strawberry milk, can still be found on shelves. Some have speculated that retailers are trying to make a fast buck on unsuspecting customers.

(FYI, only sterilised Dutch Lady strawberry milk found in bottles have been found to be tainted, but the ones in tetrapacks are still safe as they are not made in China. But if you still see the bottles on sale, alert AVA immediately at 6325-7625).

Some have also asked what schools and childcare centres are doing to ensure their children are safe. Still others have also wondered what this means for Singapore's reputation, seeing as the international spotlight is about to shine on us this weekend with the F1 night race.

But the most pressing issue, judging from the emails I've received, is whether food products made elsewhere contains China dairy ingredients and whether they are safe. 

The jury's still out on that, folks. As I write this, importers are still doing their checks with their global suppliers, therefore retailers have yet to pull such items. (If you really want to play safe, you could try avoiding products containing dairy altogether).

One reader even called me asking if milk in popular coffee chains were safe; she swore that they had been using China milk. Our checks with them however, have proven otherwise.

On the quirkier end of the spectrum, I've had a reader ask me if milk found in non-edible products, such as milk facial cleanser, could be tainted. 

It's a little doubtful that we could have been slathering melamine on our faces, but as this scandal has proven, no worry or product is too small to be checked out. 

So stay tuned, and in the meantime, keep reading your labels diligently.