AVA says China-made biscuits sold in Singapore
safe
SINGAPORE: Singapore's Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority
(AVA) has said there is insufficient information to identify the
affected biscuits that have been recently destroyed by Chinese
authorities.
AVA was responding to queries from Channel NewsAsia after a Reuters
report on Tuesday said more than 1,500 boxes of Chinese biscuits
exported to Hong Kong and Singapore have tested positive for
melamine.
But AVA added all China-made biscuits sold in Singapore are safe
for consumption.
It said all milk and milk products from China that were previously
found to be contaminated with melamine have been destroyed.
It added that the biscuits from China currently available in
Singapore were the ones recalled earlier, but the products have
undergone batch by batch testing to ensure they are not
contaminated with melamine.
AVA said it will only allow the import of milk and milk products
from China which are produced on or after December 18.
To date, there have been no new imports of such products since AVA
lifted the import suspension on December 18. Such products must
also meet certain conditions.
For example, the products must be from establishments approved for
export by Chinese authorities, which must inspect and test each
batch of the products and issue health certificates with results of
melamine tests to accompany consignments exported to
Singapore.
Manufacturers are also required to test each batch of raw material
and the end product.
In addition, AVA will continue to monitor the products imported
into Singapore. The imported products will still be subjected to
testing when they arrive in Singapore to ensure that they are not
contaminated with melamine.
- CNA/yt