Measures to prevent use of powder milk in dairy products to intensify

AMMAN — The Ministry of Agriculture on Monday announced that it would intensify measures to prevent the illegal use of powder milk to manufacture dairy products.

The ministry will increase monitoring and tracking of powder milk imported for industrial uses, Agriculture Ministry Spokesperson Nimer Haddadin said.

“The ministry will make sure that the imported powder milk is only being used for manufacturing authorised food items, such as cake, chocolate, ice cream and yellow cooked cheese,” Haddadin told The Jordan Times.

The measures also entail reducing powder milk imports, he said, explaining that the permitted amounts will only meet the production capacity of factories that use it in their authorised food industries.

“In addition, the ministry will have the imported powder milk sacks stamped with the name of the importer to make sure that the substance is not used by illegal dairy factories,” Haddadin added.

Dairy products manufactured from powdered milk contain very high amounts of hydrogenated oil, which has adverse health effects, Agriculture Minister Akef Zu’bi said previously. 

There are 76 factories operating without a licence and making dairy products using powder milk, most of which are located in the northeastern region, according to the ministry.

In August last year, the ministry drafted a new policy that monitors the import and trade of powdered milk in the Kingdom to prevent unlicensed factories from using the substance to make dairy products.

The policy introduced import provisions, measures for obtaining an import licence for powdered milk and — “most importantly” — a mechanism that tracks the movement of the substance from the borders and into factories, according to the ministry.

Haddadin urged consumers against buying yoghurt and dairy products made with powdered milk, noting that they are sold for lower prices.

“The production cost for one kilogramme of labaneh [strained yogurt] made of cows’ milk is at least JD2.25, while the cost of labaneh made from goats’ milk costs more than JD3,” he noted.

The agriculture official called on people to avoid buying dairy products sold at low prices, without a brand name or production and expiry date. 
Dana Salameh, a mother of two, said she buys dairy products that are known for their quality.

“Whether labaneh or yogurt, I’m always keen on buying known brands, and I first check the date of production,” she added.

The housewife stressed that she never buys dairy products stored in unmarked containers.