RP govt to seek compensation for distributors of China-made milk
abs-cbnNEWS.com | 10/04/2008 12:15 PM
Printer-friendly version | 
Send to friend | 
Share your views
Representatives from the government will negotiate with the Chinese embassy in Manila for the compensation of distributors and importers that are affected by the Philippines' banning of China-made milk products, Health Secretary Francisco Duque said Saturday.
"The Department of Health and the Department of Trade and Industry will make a representation at the Chinese embassy to negotiate for the compensation for the importers and distributors' losses because of the melamine-contaminated products," Duque told radio dzMM.
The health secretary said he is confident the Chinese government will pay for the losses of the Filipino distributors of banned China-made products.
Duque and officials from the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) on Friday announced that Green Food Yili Pure Milk and Mengniu Original Drink Milk from China have tested positive for melamine contamination.
Duque said the distribution and sale of the two milk products are being banned. He warned store owners to clear their shelves of the two products to avoid prosecution.
The health secretary had also announced that Yili and Mengniu were among the 30 products initially tested by the BFAD for melamine contamination.
The other 28 products have been cleared. The products are:
1. Anchor Lite Milk
2. Anlene High calcium low fat milk UHT
3. Bear Brand instant
4. Chic Choc milk chocolate
5. Farmland skim milk
6. Jinwei Drink
7. Jolly Cow pure fresh milk
8. Kiddie Soya Milk Egg Delight
9. Lactogen 1 DHA infant formula
10. M&M milk chocolate candies
11. M&M peanut chocolate candies
12. Milk Boy
13. Nestogen 2 DHA follow-up formula
14. Nestogen 3 DHA follow-up formula
15. Nido 3+ prebio with DHA
16. Nido Full Cream milk powder
17. Nido Jr.
18. No-sugar chocolate of Isomalt 2 Oligosaccharide
19. Nutri Express milk drink
20. Pura UHT fresh Milk
21. Snickers fresh roasted in caramel nogut in thick milk chocolate
22. Vitasoy soya milk drink
23. Wahaha Orange
24. Wahaha Yellow
25. Want want Milk Drink
26. Windmill Skim Milk Powder
27. Yinlu Milk Peanut
28. Yogi Yogurt Flavored Milk Drink
Duque said the BFAD may be able to add more products in the "tested" list by Tuesday morning.
He said it would take the BFAD more time to test all the 200 milk product samples taken from store shelves around the country since September.
The health secretary, meanwhile, allayed fears of Filipinos who have consumed Yili and Mengniu milk products.
He reiterated that only children are vulnerable to the negative effects of melamine. He said adults are mostly likely capable of withdrawing the toxic content.
Duque asked the public to report to the authorities sightings of the two products in any local stores.
