Health

No action on ‘Wang Wang’ rice crackers in Miri as yet

Divisional Health Officer Dr Faizul Mansoor said the department would spring into action the moment the directive was received.

“This (action) is a normal procedure when it comes to food safety,” he said when contacted by The Borneo Post yesterday.

On Wednesday, authorities in China confirmed the presence of coliform and Escherichia coli (E coli) bacteria in ‘Wang Wang’ rice crackers in Shandong Province.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai issued a media statement on Thursday that his ministry was stepping up scrutiny on this product. Samples have also been collected for laboratory tests.

Liow said Malaysia had imported 334,460 boxes of the rice crackers but he was not sure how many were still in the market or whether they were contaminated.

The product is now placed at Level 5 of the Food Safety Information Malaysia (Fosim), which required the product to undergo analysis before release into the market.

At the same times, the ministry is also liaising with its Chinese counterpart to obtain more details on the matter, particularly to trace the source of the product that was exported to Malaysia.

Meanwhile, a random check by The Borneo Post at Boulevard Hypermarket & Department Store Sdn Bhd found that the management took the initiative to remove the crackers from the shelves out of concern for public safety. Its managing director Raymond Lim, however, said the removal might only be a temporary measure.

“We are not banning the product. We will start selling it again once the ministry gives the green light that the rice crackers are safe for consumption,” he explained.

Source : Borneo Post

Dry Weather In Miri Taking Its Toll

MIRI, - The dry weather in Miri Division over the last three weeks is taking its toll on the people, with over 1,000 rural folk being in need of clean water supply and 200,000 more affected by the haze.

Miri Resident and district offices would be sending tankers to bring clean water to the affected population soon.

More at Source

Please be informed that Pustaka Miri will be organizing a public health talk entitled 'Latest Management in Joint and Back Pain'.

The event will be held on Thursday, 4th March 2010 at the library’s Auditorium starting from 2:30pm and admission is FREE.

Dr. Francis Ting Siew Sieng – Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon from Normah Medical Specialist Centre, Kuching has been invited to conduct the talk. The emphasis on the talk will be on the importance of caring for the joints and spine as well as creating awareness of the common causes, prevention steps and treatments for the conditions.

For further information, contact Ahmad Samsudin or Masni Abdullah at 085-422525 or email ahmads1@sarawaknet.gov.my .

Visit http://www.pustaka-sarawak.com for updates on the upcoming activities.

Free aerobics sessions by an experienced instructor
Time : Monday - Friday, 5:15pm
Venue: Miri City Fan Open Amphitheatre

From our friends in Pustaka.

For more information, please contact Kuswandi Kartawi at 085-422525 or email: kuswandk@sarawaknet.gov.my

Sarawak on dengue alert

MIRI: Sarawak has been put on dengue red alert following an explosion of cases – about 10 new hospital admissions in Miri alone every day.

Five people have already died – four in Miri and one in Kuching – and the number of infected cases is closing in on the 4,000 mark.

At Miri Hospital, new wards have to be found to accommodate new patients, with the city already seeing 873 cases.

More information at source