Tests on milk powder samples for DCD

Irangika Range

Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) officials have begun collecting samples of all varieties of imported milk powder available in the local market from yesterday on the instructions of Co-operatives and Internal Trade Minister Johnston Fernando.

This is being done on the request of the Health Ministry Food Advisory Committee.

"We earlier collected samples of all varieties of imported and exported milk powder to find out if they were contaminated with Dicyandimide (DCD). The final report in this regard was submitted to the Health Ministry," CAA chairman Rumi Marzook said.

He said but now it has been decided to carry out more tests on the quality of the milk powder at various stages by recognised laboratories and to appoint a subcommittee to carry out further tests to check the presence of DCD.

Marzook said the samples collected from the market from today will be sent to internationally accredited laboratories in three countries to ensure that the milk powder available in the local market is safe.