The Health Ministry has banned the sale of vanilla ice cream laced with Nin Jiom Pei Pa Koa (Cap Ibu dan Anak) cough mixture, sold by local chain Inside Scoop, just 24 hours after it was highlighted by theSun.
The ministry expressed serious concerns about the sale of ice cream mixed with the traditional cough syrup. Through its Food Safety and Quality Programme, the ministry reviewed the product’s sale at Inside Scoop outlets and found that the ice cream was served with a syringe containing the cough syrup.
Pei Pa Koa is registered as a traditional product under the Drug Control Authority and is used to relieve sore throat and cough. It is contraindicated for pregnant women, as stated on its label.
The ministry cited Section 13B (2) of the Food Act 1983, which prohibits the preparation or sale of any food mixed with medications. Offenders may face a fine not exceeding RM20,000, imprisonment for up to five years, or both.
While Inside Scoop was not fined, all its outlets have been ordered to cease selling the cough mixture-laced ice cream immediately for consumer safety. Advertising media, including e-commerce platforms and social media, are also ordered to stop advertising the product. The food industry is reminded to ensure compliance with the Food Act 1983 and its regulations.
The ministry advised the public to be more aware of food safety issues and exercise caution when purchasing products that may be mixed with unsafe ingredients.
Inside Scoop marketing director Andrew Hong responded promptly, stating his company received a call from the ministry on Tuesday morning about the newly launched flavor. “We immediately contacted all our stores to recall and discard the product. We take the matter seriously and apologize for any inconvenience caused.”
Hong explained that Inside Scoop assumed it was acceptable to introduce the flavor, inspired by its popularity in Singapore. “We were unaware of the ministry’s regulation against mixing cough syrup with food products and regret doing so. We will ensure it does not happen again.” He assured the public that their other flavors remain safe for consumption.
Earlier, theSun quoted Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Specialist Children’s Hospital chief pharmacist Ong Aik Liang, who expressed alarm and warned the public about consuming food items laced with medicines. He emphasized that Pei Pa Koa is a traditional herbal cough syrup used to alleviate minor throat irritations, but its use as a food ingredient is dangerous. “Unlike traditional medicines that usually have detailed instructions and are dispensed in controlled amounts, ice cream does not include dosage information. The large amount of cough mixture seen being poured into a cup of ice cream in Inside Scoop’s promotional video could contribute to an overdose.”
For more information on food safety and related regulations, please refer to the Food Act 1983 and the Health Ministry’s guidelines.
