SINGAPORE, 4 Feb 2018:
The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) yesterday instructed a recall of Coffee Tree MyCafe “4-in-1 Penang Durian White Coffee” from Malaysia, as a precautionary measure.
“Consumers who have purchased the product can return them to the retailer,” it said in its latest update on Facebook.
Following reports of consumers in Malaysia being hospitalised after drinking the coffee, AVA in its earlier posting said it had followed up with its counterparts in Malaysia to request for facts of the case.
AVA noted that it would be taking samples for food safety tests.
“Consumers who do not feel well after consuming any food products should seek medical attention. As a good food safety practice, when in doubt of the safety of a food product, do not consume.”
It was reported that five individuals including two women were treated at the Penang Hospital after experiencing extreme fatigue and weakness while some also fainted after allegedly drinking the coffee last week.
The five, aged 19 to 62 years, were warded for observation and tests. Three have since been discharged.
In GEORGE Town, the Health Ministry has warned the public not to consume pre-mixed coffee offered by strangers as it might be spiked with drugs.
Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam confirmed the analysis on the sample of coffee consumed by two Nepalese men, which caused them to experience extreme fatigue, contained psychoactive chemical substance.
“We had five patients (with similar symptoms) before this…yesterday, there were two more cases with similar symptoms after they consumed coffee offered by strangers. It seems there is some kind of syndicate giving away coffee sachets which contain drugs.
“People must be careful, do not accept anything from strangers. We will do our analysis while the police will investigate on their part such as (locating) the source and so on.”
Dr Subramaniam said the ministry is now investigating all aspects, including the factory and the production of the coffee.
Asked whether the ministry would withdraw the product from the market, he said there was no evidence that showed the coffee produced by the factory contained the illegal substance.
“Until we finalise the investigation, we advise the people to be careful. Until we have strong evidence to incriminate the producers, we do not have any immediate intention to withdraw it from the shelves.”
In the meantime, two more victims – garbage truck drivers – were warded at the Penang Hospital today, after drinking white coffee which left them suffering from dizziness and vomiting.
Northeast district police chief ACP Anuar Omar said the men had consumed the coffee given by their Bangladeshi colleague before they started showing the symptoms.
“The victims fixed and drank the white coffee at 2.30pm today, after they received the sachets from the Bangladeshi man last Thursday. The duo felt dizzy and vomited 10 minutes later before they were taken to the hospital.
“The Bangladeshi said he found two (large) packs of the coffee in a trash bin. He took one pack and gave the other to the victims.”
– Bernama