BUTTERWORTH: The Health Ministry is investigating the manufacturer of a 4-in-1 instant durian-flavoured coffee drink mixture after the product was found to contain a substance believed to be a kind of drug.
It is learnt that the police are also conducting a probe on the matter.
“We hope the police will (be able to) determine how the substance was mixed into the drink.
“On our side, we will investigate all manufacturers and factories producing the instant durian coffee,” said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam.
The investigation comes in the wake of five people, including two Nepalese men, falling seriously ill after drinking the coffee.
All victims complained of dizziness, chest pains and breathing difficulties, before fainting.
The Nepalese men said packets of the coffee were given to them by a stranger.
“This is the issue here. We advise people not to simply consume anything given by strangers,” Subramaniam added.
He was met after opening the Holistic Treatment Centre at the Klinik Derma Sivasantra at Kampung Jawa here.
Subramaniam also urged the public to exercise caution when purchasing exotic coffees, as the durian coffee is distributed by several different agents.