Asia Food & Beverages Report (May/June 2021 issue)

MALAYSIA
Spritzer passes test for Plastics Contaminants
CHINA
WATER
To counter research by the State University of New York (SUNY-
Fredonia) entitled ‘Synthethic Polymer Contamination in Bottled Water’
which showed that many international brands of bottled water were
contaminated with microplastics, Spritzer Malaysia (Spritzer), the
country’s best-selling natural mineral water, has released the results of
an analysis conducted by a reputable independent laboratory, SIRIM
Berhad, to confirm that no microplastics has been detected in its silicarich
natural mineral water.
The laboratory has recently conducted tests from a sample taken from
a 600ml Spritzer Natural Mineral Water bottle produced on 21 January
2021 and did not detect any synthetic polymers or microplastics, even
when examined under 50 times magnification.
This findings from the State University of New York (SUNY-Fredonia)
were later confirmed by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration and the European Chemicals Agency as very small
fragments of plastic originating from various industrial and manufacturing
processes and products that can contaminate natural ecosystems.
The tests were done by SUNY-Fredonia covering 11 globally sourced
brands of bottled water purchased in 19 different locations in 9 countries
around the world. The SUNY-Fredonia report noted that there was an
average of 325 particles per litre, with concentration ranging from zero
to more than 10,000 particles in a single bottle. From the samples, the
report found that 93% were found to contain microplastics.
Most notably, the SUNY-Fredonia tests showed that microplastics
were detected in the samples from these brands ranging from 6.5 uM
(micrometre) to 100 uM in sizes. However, the recent analysis conducted
by the independent laboratory showed that in these ranges and even up
to 1uM, no microplastics were detected in Spritzer Natural Mineral Water.
The findings from SIRIM are a powerful affirmation of the stringent
quality processes practiced by Spritzer, and a testament to its efforts in
ensuring that the pristine 330-acre site in Taiping, Perak located near
a tropical rainforest from which the Company draws the sources of its
natural mineral water, is kept clean and safe for consumption.
Spritzer has previously won awards for the refreshing taste of its mineral
water as well as various certifications for product processing, and
is committed to protecting the integrity, quality, safety and purity of its
natural water source with automated and advanced bottling technology
used to ensure that it is free from pollution.
Silica-rich mineral water has also been found to be beneficial to health, as
research by UK-based Keele University has found. Those who consume
1- to 1.5 litres of Spritzer Natural Mineral Water can reduce or eliminate
aluminium toxins found in their bodies as the silicate acid in the natural
mineral water bonds with the toxins that are then passed out as urine.
In Asia, leading brands from China, India and Indonesia were part of the
2018 study by SUNY-Fredonia. Major brands from the US and UK like
Aquafina and Evian were also studied. Spritzer was not in the study but
it wanted to reaffirm its mineral water quality to counter this 2018 study.
MAQIS seizes 24,000kg Pet Food for failing to meet
import permit
PET FOOD
Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department (MAQIS)
has recently seized over 24,000kg of pet food from Turkey and France,
worth RM177,000 (US$42,700), as they did not meet import permit
conditions at Westport, Port Klang.
MAQIS Director Zamri Hashim said during the department’s routine
inspection that 2 containers carrying cat and dog food were found not
complying with the department’s import conditions as stated on the
containers’ permits, licences and declarations. It is an offence under
Section 15(1) of the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Act
2011 and offenders can be punished under Section 15(2) of the same law
and upon conviction can be fined not exceeding RM100,000 (US$24,120)
or imprisonment of up to 6 years or both.
Zamri said there will be no compromise on biosecurity items brought
from overseas, in ensuring agricultural commodities adhered to stipulated
conditions and regulations.
Genki Forest apologised to consumers for misleading
packaging
One of China’s best-selling beverage brands, Genki Forest had
apologised on its official Weibo account for misleading consumers with a
‘0 sucrose’ label on its milk tea packaging.
In mid-April, Genki Forest issued an apology for not clarifying the
difference between ‘0 sugar’ and ‘0 sucrose’. It also reminded consumers
TEA
US$108 million Milk Tea Franchise scam in China
More than 90 suspects have been caught recently for allegedly running
a milk tea franchise scam under the name of ‘Chazhilan’ near Shanghai,
China.
It was reported that the suspects profited over Rmb 700 million (US$108
million) from the alleged scam. The police started investigations after
finding a number of milk tea franchises in Songjiang District under the
same brand name were closed shortly after opening.
According to one of the ‘Chazilan’ shop operators, he saw the online
advertisement on franchising a famous milk tea chain, and contacted the
agency. He was later then told the advertised franchise program had no
more slots for newcomers, and was instead introduced to the ‘Chazhilan’
milk tea brand, claimed to be owned by the same company of the famous
brand. Chazhilan was advertised as a promising brand, and the agency
promised full supply, training and advertising services for franchises. He
paid the agency Rmb 100,000 (US$15,600) for the franchise and opened
his milk tea shop. However, the agency failed to deliver the promised
services and within 3 months he closed his shop.
The police later discovered that Chazilan franchise was a hoax.
FRUITS/VEGETABLES
Human Rights abuse in Xinjiang led to freeze in tomato
imports by Japanese ketchup producer
Leading Japanese ketchup producer, Kagome Co has stopped importing
tomato paste from China’s Xinjiang province, citing the country’s rights
abuses against Uyghur as a cause of concern.
Kagome however added that this decision was made on top of its
growing concerns over costs and quality. Kagome is believed to be the
first major Japanese corporation to stop doing business with the region
over the Uighur issue.
Kagome decision came after several western brands, including H&M and
Nike, halted sourcing materials made in the region, which has resulted
in backlash from Chinese consumers. The issue of detention and forced
labour of Uighurs has drawn the attention of the international community.
Kagome however added that this is not the only reason for stopping the
procurement. Tomato paste from the Xinjiang region accounted for only
about 1% of all of Kagome’s production. The company also considers
cost, sustainability and other factors when deciding where to get its raw
materials.
Beijing (China) on the other hand has resorted to boycotting Western
companies which have voiced their concerns over the use of Uighur
forced labour in their supply chains.
Abbott fined for baby formula flavoring
Regulations News
that milk tea is not sugar-free since it contains lactose.
The sweetness of the beverage comes from sugar substitutes like
erythritol and stevioside that taste like sugar but have zero calories.
Genki Forest had already started rolling out revised packaging in
February, and all products produced as of 18 March stated ‘low sugar
and low fat’ instead of ‘0 sucrose and low fat’.
In addition, all the company’s milk tea produced since 20 March shall no
longer contain crystalline fructose, but only milk sugar and natural sugar
substitutes that do not play a part in human metabolism.
According to the Weibo post, the company will refund Rmb 20 (US$3) to
those who have purchased milk tea products on its official e-commerce
platform.
The Beijing-based Genki Forest manufactures bottled beverages
ranging from flavored sparkling water to milk tea and Oolong tea, and
has become popular with ‘zero sugar, zero fat and zero calories’ as a
major selling point. The brand has surpassed Coca-Cola and Pepsi in
sales during major online shopping festivals.
MILK
Abbott Shanghai has recently been fined Rmb 9.09 million (US$1.41
million) after a banned flavoring essence was found in its baby formula.
Some of its Similac baby formula for infants less than 6 months old
contained 171.6 micrograms of vanillin per kg, according to sample tests
made by inspectors of China’s top market watchdog late last year.
Flavoring essence is banned in formula for babies less than 6 months
old, according to China’ food additives standards. The substandard baby
formula was imported and sold by Abbott. So far, more than 45,000 tins
of the baby formula have been imported, of which more than 44,000 have
been sold. Abbott said it has launched a recall.
Shanghai Administration for Market Regulation has fined the company
as well as confiscated its illegal earnings from the earlier sales totalling
Rmb 3.44 million (US$539,000).
In late-2020, Abbott was fined more than Rmb 2 million (US$313,000)
for violating China’s advertisement law.
37 Asia Food & Beverages