SINGAPORE: Singapore environmental health and food authorities have checked some 4,200 retailers island-wide, following the ban on China milk products here.

Inspected premises included shops, supermarkets, hawker centres and food manufacturers.

One retailer is expected to be charged soon for failing to remove affected products from its shelves. Still, consumers are not taking any chances.

Ng Hock Seng is one of over 80 officers from the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA) and National Environment Agency (NEA) conducting daily checks on shops.

The officers have been doing this since September 19, when the import and sale of all milk and milk products from China was suspended. And some Singaporeans are counting on them to ensure food supplies are safe.

One consumer said: "I understand milk from China in Singapore have all been recalled. I can speak, but I can't read."

Those who can read said they carefully scrutinise product labels these days.

"I have started to look at the ingredients now - check the ingredients and where they are made from," said another consumer.

Another consumer added: "I believe that the authorities have the responsibility and we ourselves do have the responsibility of checking. Especially when I have a child and when I buy milk, I also do check where the product comes from."

Sharp-eyed consumers have also helped to alert the authorities. Their tip-offs have resulted in ten retail outlets being given verbal warnings as only a small number of affected products were found on their shelves.

The AVA can be reached at 6325-7625 if consumers wish to report any food product that contains China dairy, including those made elsewhere, which are banned as well. - CNA/vm