COMPANY FINED RM10,000 FOR SELLING COFFEE CONTAINING SCHEDULED POISON

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 26 (Bernama) -- A company selling beverages and groceries was fined RM10,000 by the Selayang Sessions Court today after pleading guilty to selling coffee containing a scheduled poison last year.

Judge Norazlin Othman handed down the sentence to the company, represented by its director, Teh Yew Sim, 54, as the Person Summoned. The court also ordered that a warrant of levy be issued should the OKS fail to pay the fine. The OKS paid the fine.

The company was charged with selling 40 sachets of "Kopi Jantan Traditional" (Healthy Man Coffee) to an authorised officer from the Gombak District Health Office. Upon analysis, the product was found to contain 1310.61 mg/kg of Tadafil, a scheduled poison. This constitutes the sale of food containing prohibited additives.

The offence allegedly took place at a food premise in Batu Caves at 12:00 pm on August 11 last year and the charge was framed under Section 13(B) (1) of the Food Act 1983 together with Section 13B(2)(d).

Under Section 13(B)(4) of the same Act, the offence carries a maximum fine of RM20,000, imprisonment for up to five years, or both.

Gombak District Health Office Prosecuting Officer, V.S. Vivig Dinesh, requested an appropriate sentence, noting that Tadalafil can only be administered to patients via prescription from registered and qualified doctors and is strictly prohibited as a food additive.

"This coffee poses a danger to the health and safety of consumers if consumed daily. It carries serious health risks, including a sudden drop in blood pressure, cardiovascular system disturbances, and dangerous interactions with other medications - particularly heart medications containing nitrates," said Vivig Dinesh.

He further added that side effects include heart attacks and strokes. He noted that cases of adding poison to food products are becoming more prevalent as parties seek quick profits while disregarding consumer safety.

Teh, who was not represented, pleaded for a lighter sentence, citing that he is the sole provider for his family and expressed remorse for the offence and promised not to repeat the mistake.

--BERNAMA