KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry has instructed an ice cream chain to stop the sale of food products laced with cough syrup.
In a statement today, it said the sale of such products was a serious violation of Section 13B(2) of the Food Act 1983.
The latter prohibits the preparation or sale of food products mixed with medicine registered under the ministry.
The ministry added that if found guilty, the chain could be fined not more than RM20,000 or face imprisonment of not more than five years, or both.
The ministry also said it had reviewed the sale of the product and found that the ice cream sold was served with a syringe containing the traditional cough syrup, Pei Pa Koa, better known as Cap Ibu and Anak.
"The cough syrup is a registered product under the Drug Control Authority that comes under the traditional category used to relieve sore throat and cough and is harmful to pregnant women as stated on the label.
"All premises selling the product should immediately stop the sale for the safety of consumers and the public," the statement read.
The ministry added that all advertisements of the product, including on e-commerce platforms and social media, must also stop.
"The food industry must take responsibility in ensuring that all food products sold comply with the Food Act, even for marketing and sales purposes.
"The public is also advised to be more aware of food safety issues and to always be cautious when purchasing food products that may be laced with unsuitable or unsafe substances."
The ministry, however, did not name the chain.
Previously, several quarters had raised concerns over the sale of ice cream laced with cough syrup by a homegrown ice cream chain, Inside Scoop.
Inside Scoop, in a statement afterwards, said it would cease all sales of the new flavoured ice cream immediately.
"Following advice from the ministry, we are saying goodbye to our Pei Pa Koa ice cream flavour, effective immediately.
"Our team will reach out to sort out refunds if customers have ordered the flavour online."