"Tomorrow, the IPB through its rector will make an announcement regarding the formula milk," Agung Laksono said at his office here on Tuesday.
The minister said that based on reports he had received from the Health Ministry, the IPB would make a proportional announcement regarding the baby milk issues.
He said that the announcement would be made before a meeting with the House of Representatives (DPR) on Wednesday.
However, the minister did not assure whether the IPB would mention the brands of baby milk which based on its tests several years ago contained sakazakii bacteria.
"Based on the report I have received, the IPB will make a proportional announcement on the formula milk. I don`t receive any report whether or not the IPB rector would mention brands," the minister said.
The Bogor-based Institute of Agriculture (IPB) conducted tests on the samples of infant formula milk taken between 2003 and 2006 and found that 20 percent of the samples were contaminated by sakazakii bacteria. However, the brands of the tainted milk have never been made public.
This reason has led David Tobing, a resident, to sue the IPB at the Supreme Court, demanding that IPB release the brands of the spoiled milk.
The Supreme Court in 2010 ruled in favor of David and issued a verdict ordering the Health Ministry, the Food and Drug Supervision Agency (BPOM) and IPB to announce the brands of the contaminated milk.
On the occasion, the minister asked the people not to be concerned regarding formula milk circulating now in the market.
The BPOM has conducted follow up tests on formula milk circulating in the market and found that they were all safe for consumption.(*)
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Editor: Jafar M Sidik
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
