Speech by Yb Dato' Sri Liow Tiong Lai Minister of Health

SPEECH BY YB DATO’ SRI LIOW TIONG LAI MINISTER OF HEALTH MALAYSIA 22 ND ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION AND OPENING CEREMONY OF THE NEW POLAR ICE CREAM FACTORY BALAKONG, SELANGOR, 6 MARCH 2010 Mr. Chong Kim Key, Managing Director, Polar Ice Cream Sdn. Bhd. Your Excellencies, Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen. Good morning and Salam 1 Malaysia. 1. I would like to thank Mr. Chong for inviting me to this 22 nd Anniversary Celebration of Polar Ice Cream Sdn. Bhd. and the official opening of your new factory. It is heartening to note that your company, incorporated 22 years ago on 3 March 1988 with less than 10 staff and workers, has grown by leaps and bounds to become the largest local manufacturer of ice cream in Malaysia today. 2. I am pleased to hear that the company produces more than six (6) million liters of ice cream per annum and is exporting to countries like China, New Zealand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Taiwan, Laos, Cambodia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam. Such is the success story of a local manufacturing company that has successfully ventured into the regional and world markets. I am sure that your company’s commitment to safety and quality, coupled with hard work, perserverence and support from all your agents and customers, has ensured this success. Congratulations! Ladies and Gentlemen, 1 3. I understand that Polar Ice Cream Sdn. Bhd. has acquired the Veterinary Health Mark (VHM) logo certification from the Department of Veterinary Services, Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry, since 2005. In addition, you have submitted an application to the Ministry of Health for Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) Certification. These are commendable efforts and I would like to sincerely congratulate Mr. Chong and his team. 4. To maintain such systems would require tremendous efforts but I am sure that you will enjoy the benefits. Among others, these systems will increase the marketability of your products and provide confidence in regulatory compliance. 5. I would like to urge all companies to implement such food safety assurance systems, as they are a requirement under the Food Hygiene Regulations 2009. For your information, the Ministry of Health has put in place the Malaysian Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) Certification Scheme since 1997 and the Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) Certification Scheme since 2006. In 2009, a total of 104 food industries have been certified with HACCP and 10 with GMP. Ladies and Gentlemen, 6. As you are aware, the Ministry of Health monitors the importation and exportation of food products into and from the country. In 2008, RM80.6 million worth of ice cream and other edible ice were imported and RM36.2 million exported. In 2009, due to the economic downturn, these figures had fallen to RM66.4 million and RM34.9 million respectively. 7. At the domestic level, the Ministry of Health conducts surveillance activities on all food products. In the case of ice cream, because it needs appropriate handling due to its nature, emphasis is usually given to microbiological analysis. I am happy to say that our data showed that in 2008, out of 366 ice cream samples analyzed, only one (1) 2 sample contravened the provisions of the Food Regulations 1985, in that it contained an unapproved sweetener. Similarly, in 2009, only one (1) out of the 327 samples of ice cream analyzed showed a microbiological contravention. 8. It is a known fact that one of the main culprits in food contamination and non- compliance to regulatory requirements is the food handlers. The Food Hygiene Regulations 2009 requires that all food handlers must undergo a health examination and must be trained. I would like to emphasise here that it is essential for your workers to observe strict hygienic practices when handling ice cream and edible ice products. I would also like to urge the private sector, like you, to play a prominent role in assisting the government to ensure hygienic practices in the food industries. Ladies and Gentlemen, 9. In conclusion, I would like to wish Polar Ice Cream Sdn. Bhd. every success in your endeavors. Please continue to focus on quality and innovation, and do not compromise on food safety. With Malaysia’s economy strongly rebounding in the final quarter of 2009, and with the promise of a better financial year in 2010, I hope that the five new products that you are introducing in 2010 will meet with resounding success. May you also successfully penetrate the Middle East countries and achieve your long- term plan for a listing on the Bursa Malaysia Stock Exchange. 10. It is with pleasure that I now officially declare open your new factory. Thank you. 3 .

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