KUALA LUMPUR – Homegrown ice-cream brand Inside Scoop has announced an immediate recall of its product featuring a cough mixture, known as Pei Pa Koa or Cap Ibu dan Anak.
In an Instagram post today, the company said it is saying “goodbye” to the flavour effective immediately following “advice” from the Health Ministry.
It assured that customers who have ordered the flavour online after it went on sale yesterday will be contacted by its team for a refund.
“We’re really sorry for any hassle that this might cause and we appreciate your understanding.”
Earlier today, it was reported that the ministry had ordered an ice cream brand to cease the sale of its product featuring the cough medicine.
The ministry had also directed all media platforms, including e-commerce and social media sites, to stop advertising the cough syrup-flavoured ice cream.
While the ministry’s statement did not name the brand involved, it said it had reviewed the sales activity at the business premises in question and found that the ice cream is served together with a syringe containing Pei Pa Koa cough medicine.
The ministry pointed out that under Section 13B(2) of the Food Act 1983, it is illegal to prepare or sell food mixed with medication, highlighting that Pei Pa Koa is a registered product with the ministry’s Drug Control Authority under the ‘traditional’ category.
It emphasised that, under Section 13B(2) of the Food Act 1983, it is illegal to prepare or sell food mixed with medication.
Those convicted of this offence can face a fine not exceeding RM20,000, a maximum jail term of five years, or both.
Articles published by online news sites on Inside Scoop’s cough-flavoured ice cream state that the dessert “combines the perfect balance” of the cough syrup with vanilla ice cream.
The limited edition flavour was supposed to run from yesterday to August 18 at all Inside Scoop outlets. – July 30, 2024