[NEW UPDATE] Health Ministry Bans 2 More Tapioca Pearl Importers
The Health Ministry yesterday, 29 May 2013, suspended the import of 11 Taiwanese starch-based products after Singaporean authorities discovered that the pearls in bubble tea contain maleic acid - the use of maleic acid is not approved in Malaysia under the Food Regulations 1985. Do you know what maleic acid does to your body?
By Melody Oei — 30 May 2013, 11:24 AM — Updated over 10 years ago
14 June: Two more importers of tapioca pearls instructed to withdraw products
The Health Ministry has detected two more food products from Taiwan which contained maleic acid. The two products are Tapioca Pearls manufactured by La Kaffa International Co. Limited and Taiwan QQ Balls manufactured by Woei Perng Enterprise Co. Limited.
Noraini Mohd Othman, said the ministry had instructed the importers of the two products, Loob Holdings Sdn Bhd and Happy Grass Marketing Sdn Bhd, to withdraw the products from the market in the country and dispose them safely.
thestar.com.my
A total of 155 product samples, including tapioca balls and tapioca pearls, dried noodles and tapioca starch in local markets, had been analysed for maleic acid so far.
thestar.com.my
4 June: Taiwan tightens inspection and monitoring of exported food that enter Malaysia
Taiwan has tightened the inspection and monitoring of exported food to ensure all products that enter Malaysia are free from maleic acid.
findlaw.com
Lin admitted that Taiwan's food industry was badly affected by the maleic acid case. In order to regain local consumers' confidence, they are bringing in a list of time-honoured brands for the 2013 Malaysian International Food and Beverage Trade Fair.
soshiok.com
Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Malaysia deputy representative Lin Min-li said they were also working closely with the Health Ministry to ensure all food products from the island were safe to be consumed.
thestar.com.my
Import of bubble tea pearls put on hold? But why!
Penggunaan bahan itu tidak dibenarkan mengikut Peraturan-peraturan Makanan 1985 kerana jika diambil pada paras tinggi, ia boleh mengakibatkan kerosakan buah pinggang.
terbakor.comMalaysia has suspended the import of 11 starch-based products from Taiwan after Singapore authorities found maleic acid in some tapioca pearls or balls used in the popular bubble tea drink.
Who called the suspension and how long will it last?
Terkini, didapati Tapioca Balls atau Tapioca Pearls yang dikeluarkan beberapa syarikat (Taiwan) telah dicemari maleic acid (asid maleik).
terbakor.comThe Malaysian Health Ministry has suspended the import of 11 Taiwanese starch-based products. Food Safety and Quality senior director Noraini Datuk Mohd Othman said the suspension was a precautionary measure.
lipstiq.com
"The Ministry has found that there have been no tapioca balls or tapioca pearls from Taiwanese company Sunright Foods Corporation imported to Malaysia. We are waiting confirmation from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office," said Noraini Datuk Mohd Othman.
thestar.com.my
"The Health Ministry is also imposing a Hold, Test and Release (Tahan, Uji dan Lepas) test on similar food products from other Taiwanese companies. This is unless the importer can produce a certificate approved by the Taiwan FDA that its products are free of maleic acid," she said.
blogspot.com
How is maleic acid harmful?
The use of maleic acid as a food additive is also prohibited in Malaysia under the Food Regulations 1985 as consuming high levels of it over a long term period can cause kidney damage.
thestar.com.my
"Oh no, I drink a lot of bubble tea! Do I have kidney damage?"
“For those who have bought the product, it is advisable that you do not consume them but return the product to the seller or throw it away,” Noraini advised in a press statement yesterday, 29 May 2013.
thestar.com.my
“However, those who have consumed it, before this, do not worry. Occasional intake of maleic acid at a low dosage is not dangerous,” she said.
blogspot.com
Other claims of bubble tea being unhealthy
Tapioca pearls place boba tea's calorie count firmly in the "Yikes!" category. Once you plop pearls into your milky tea, you're looking at over 300 calories - and a lot more sugar!
The Germany's Federal Institute for Risk Assessment warns that the popular dessert beverage, bubble tea, presents a choking hazard to children and may contain cancer-causing chemicals.
nydailynews.comThe sugary specialty beverage, generally milk-based and filled with chewy balls of tapioca, may also include cancer-causing chemicals known aspolychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs.
