GSK Malaysia's Za Tahir called me up yesterday afternoon, apologising that she was not able to reply to my email earlier. I had asked GSK's position on independent testing of the Vitamin C content of their local and imported Ribena packs, as well as several other issues.
Za was stuck in Putrajaya (for a meeting I presume), and asked if she could "articulate a response" later in the evening. I agreed, and about 7:30pm I received her email.
Excerpts:
FYI, occasionally the Ministry of Health conduct post market surveillance on our products. Hence, we are open to an independent laboratory testing for Ribena.
We confirm that Ribena Concentrate contain the stated levels of Vitamin C, as described on the product label
It is heartening to know that they are not secretive of their products; it is a mark of a consumer driven company, although I speak only of the Malaysian operations. Truth is, no matter how you look at it, the case in New Zealand and Australia may prove to be far more damaging in GSK's other markets. It is a PR nightmare.
It is also interesting to note that the Ministry of Health has conducted tests on Ribena's claimed Vitamin C content.
This article appeared in Sin Chew Jit Poh on March 19th, way before the news became big in Malaysia:
Tanslation as per GSK's email: MOH’s Parliamentary Secretary, Lee Kah Choon, stated that based on his Ministry’s research, Ribena Malaysia’s claim on its level of Vitamin C on the product’s label is accurate.In his interview with Sin Chew yesterday, he mentioned that Min Of Health (MOH) has not received any report about Ribena in Malaysia containing lesser amount of Vitamin C when compared to what is indicated on the label of the product.
On the other hand, Deputy Minister of Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs said that his ministry will take action according to the research done by Min Of Health.
He also mentioned that if the information on a product’s label is found inaccurate or misleading, his ministry will take action against the company.
Za also attached some newspaper cuttings, which I am pasting here for the benefit of readers.
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It seems there is quite a stir on the issue; the company's MD Akhil Chandra also appeared on Astro News on Channel Prima 8 two nights ago, when the story from New Zealand broke.
Singapore's Chinese Press also picked up the story (ZaoBao, March 29, 2007):
Translation as per GSK's email:
AVA Tests Confirm that Ribena Contains Sufficent Vitamin C Content - Agri & Veterinary Authority (AVA) has found that the vitamin C content in Ribena is accurate with its claims that it is 'rich in vitamin C'. According to AVA, for every 200ml there should be 15mg of vitamin C to fulfill that claim and the Ribena here meets that requirement. Also mentioned the NZ court case, the fine and how the case was brought to court in the first place. Article ends with GSK Singapore's assurance that the incident is restricted to NZ's Ribena and in Singapore, the Ribena is not affected and that the vitamin C levels stated on its packaging are accurate.
Now I am asking for readers to help me to get the testing done; if you have access or contacts that can do this for Malaysian consumerism, that'll be great.
HALAL Status
Za also answered my queries on the Halal status of their Ribena products sold in Malaysia.
We confirm that Ribena products sold in Malaysia are certified halal by JAKIM (Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia) with the following expiry dates :
a) Ribena Concentrate & RTD - expires 30 Sept 2008
b) Sparkling Ribena - expires 30 Nov 2008
c) Ribena Cheerpack - expires 12 Feb 2008
d) Ribena RTD PET- expires 4 Aug 2007
I am a bit puzzled though. In my initial conversation with Za on Wednesday, she said that Ribena from the Phillipines is only certified by JAKIM affiliate, Islamic Council of Phillipines. She also confirmed that GSK will not seek JAKIM certification for the product as "JAKIM said it is not necessary".
I hope Za can clarify this; unless items (a) to (d) above are all locally made, there is no issue. But her statement refers to "Ribena products SOLD in Malaysia", which to my understanding would include the SKU from the Phillipines.
Still, this bit of information should appease those at Persatuan Pengguna Islam Malaysia, which in truth, can be a bit over the top at times.
Do you consider the Ribena case closed when we get the independent test done and it is proven that their claims are true? Have you struck off Ribena from your shopping list and instead have decided to force your childfren to eat more broccoli?
Comments
It's me Riduan here,
Just want to say few word.
What have you done and publish here it does help lot to the Public. Especially when in market today ..banyak sangat benda yang mengelirukan either produk tulen, ada khasiat tertentu and etc. Tambahan lagi dengan minda masyarakat Malaysia yang mempunyai sikap tak pe ...dan tak kisah sangat.
Keep up the good work..And thanks for the advice last night. I try to be positive all the way.
If like this....
Mmg susahlah. Kita nak ikut yang mana satu ...What's is Amir Stand.... My Nabila Syahira suka sgt minum ribena..She dont like to eat vegetable especially brocolli....
What Amir Stand
Aiman here,
Just want to share with You this info...might be out of topic....
Dear friends,
Something for you all to take note.........
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In my research, I came across some materials which say that people with cancer usually have stones.
We all have gallstones. It's a matter of big or small, many or few.
One of the symptoms of gallstones is a feeling of bloatedness after a heavy meal. You feel like you
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If it gets more serious, you feel pain in the liver area." So if you think you have gallstones, Chiu Nan
offers the following method to remove them naturally.
The treatment is also good for those with a weak liver, because the liver and gallbladder are closely linked.
Regimen:
1. For the first five days, take four glasses of apple juice every day. - Or eat four or five apples, whichever you prefer. Apple juice softens the gallstones. During the five days, eat normally.
2. On the sixth day, take no dinner.
3. At 6 PM, take a teaspoon of Epsom salt (magnesium sulphate) with a glass of warm water.
4. At 8 PM, repeat the same. Magnesium sulphate opens the gallbladder ducts.
5. At 10 PM, take half cup olive oil (or sesame oil) with half cup fresh lemon juice. Mix it well and drink it. The oil lubricates the stones to ease their passage.
The next morning, you will find green stones in your stools. "Usually they float," "You might want to count them. I have had a person who passes 40, 50 or up to 100 stones. Very many."
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PASS THIS AND YOU MAY HELP OTHERS!
i saw your 'other' links -- mm la, jeff ooi la... then me at the top of the damn list!! oiiii... damn shy la!!! me so not the high-brow or the 'thinking woman' somemore you mix with all these people. what you crazee blow my cover like that??!!!
what the fark man!! god help them...
My stand is quite simple; as someone commented, who in the name of Siti Nurhaliza (ok I made that one up) gives their children Ribena for the VitC?
I drink it (still) for the flavour. Like a friend of mine at the French Embassy said, water without flavour tak boleh jalan la...
I am happy with the explanations given.
But I must say that I am perturbed at the way they (GSL Global) hoodwinked Aussie and Kiwi customers. I am certain HQ knew about it...
Still, you can'y punish a son for a father's sins can you...?
Wallahulalam.
I'm still a Ribena berry!
Your blog is linked to mine because you special wan... I'm sure Jeff, Rocky, Paul,Marina and the rest will have a laugh... or at least an opinion of yo ;)
Get the Bloggers United logo and put it up on your blog man...
And now for more from our woman in Bermuda....
Even it fails the Vitamin C content, I would consider it it's a serious issue. Unless there's contamination or some other serious issue or may if we are solely dependent on Ribena for Vitamin C, I don't see any reason why I would get alarmed and disturbed.
Of course there is the social obligation issue. Of course I would look forward for an apologies and some kind of commitment from GSK. But that doesn't mean stopping using Ribena.