‘Ghost smoke’ candy confiscated
PETALING JAYA: The Health Ministry has seized the controversial “ghost smoke” candy for violating labelling requirements despite not finding any forbidden ingredients.
Deputy Health Minister Dr Lee Boon Chye said the ingredients of the candy were analysed and found all to be permitted.
“There were no forbidden ingredients but the product was seized because the content did not match what was printed on the label,” he said, adding that the details of the importer and manufacturer were also unclear.
However, he did not elaborate on what the actual ingredients of the candy were.
He said while the product was found to be safe for consumption, the ministry remained firm on banning it as the act of consuming it mimicked smoking and could encourage children to take up the habit when they are older.
On Tuesday, Dr Lee revealed that the ministry had formed a taskforce to scrutinise the candy’s ingredients.
Enforcement personnel with the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry also launched a nationwide crackdown on the sweets.
Recently, 14 boxes were seized from a premises in Jalan Tawi Sli in Sarawak during an inspection.
State deputy director Mohd Hanizam Kechik said the seized candy was worth RM110 in total.
“Further investigations will be carried out as to whether any offence was committed under the Trade Descriptions Act 2011 or the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011,” he said yesterday.
Hanizam said the business premises was inspected for the sweets following a viral video showing children consuming the candy and emitting smoke as though they were smoking cigarettes.
He said so far, 60 premises in Sarawak have been inspected, with only one seizure made.
“We advise traders not to sell this product.
“We also welcome any public tip-off of any premises selling this product so that we can take action quickly,” he added.
Earlier in the week, enforcement officers in Sabah seized 700 such candies in a few towns.
It was also reported that 40 of such candies were seized in Kota Baru, Kelantan, on Tuesday after parents complained that the candies were being sold at a nearby school.
A similar complaint caused enforcement personnel to search a warehouse in Alor Setar, Kedah, but there was no such candy.
It is learned that the warehouse owner stopped bringing in the candy three months ago due to price fluctuations.
Source: TheStar
