KUALA LUMPUR, March 15 — Food manufacturer Nestlé Malaysia started a campaign to help consumers identify counterfeits of its iconic Milo drink today, after the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry busted counterfeiters in Negeri Sembilan.
Nestlé said it is taking the matter seriously and is working very closely with authorities, urging customers to lodge reports with its customer service if they purchased counterfeit versions of the chocolate malt drink.
“Dear fans, Nestlé Malaysia has been alerted that the authorities have found counterfeit versions of Milo packaging and Milo powder being produced in Negeri Sembilan,” the food and beverage firm said on its official Facebook page.
“Please be assured that we are working very closely with the relevant authorities especially the Ministry of Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism to ultimately curb this matter as the safety and quality of our products is a non-negotiable priority of Nestlé.”
The Facebook page also published a photo explaining to consumers how to distinguish counterfeit Milo packaging based on the perforation of its pack.
Malay daily Utusan Malaysia reported today that the ministry seized RM250,000 worth of imitation Milo products in Mantin, Negeri Sembilan on March 13.
State chief enforcer Saifulbahri Abdul Kadir told the media that the counterfeit product was ready to be distributed around the state, and the case will be investigated under Section 8 of the Trade Descriptions Act 2011.
Other items seized were 1,000 empty boxes, 50,000 empty plastic packs, a printer, a weighing machine and a numbering printer.
Six immigrants from Myanmar and Indonesia were also arrested during the raid.
In Malaysia, the name Milo is synonymous with a chocolate drink, and Nestlé Malaysia reportedly claimed in 2009 that the country is the world’s largest drinkers of Milo.
