Year: 2011

The Consumer’s Association of Penang (CAP) urges the Majlis Perbandaran Pulau Pinang (MPPP) to immediately clean up and beautify all wet markets in Penang which are in deplorable conditions of filth and poor hygiene. In a survey of wet markets carried out by CAP in Chowrasta, Central, Bayan Baru, Ayer Itam, Pulau Tikus, Jelutong, Riffle Range, Taman Tun Sardon, Padang Tembak and the old...

The Consumers Association of Penang is appalled by the Pesticide Board not taking action to eradicate the pesticide endosulfan. Endosulfan, a highly acute toxin and a suspected endocrine disruptor, was banned in 2005 under the Pesticides Act 1974. In a letter to CAP dated 17th October 2008, the Pesticide Board informed us that the registration for endosulfan was terminated in 15th August 2005....

The Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) is shocked that banned boric acid is still found in food, in spite of our numerous calls to the Ministry of Health for the last 25 years to take action on the issue. CAP’s latest test on various types of food such as Bak chang (Chinese dumpling), yellow noodles and Nyonya kuih found boric acid to be present in all the samples tested. Bak chang...

Monosodium Glutamate (MSG), a popular flavouring substance commonly used in home-cooked and restaurant foods — as well as in most processed, packaged and frozen foods — is a long-trusted food seasoning in Malaysia. The food industry tells us it’s “natural” and “safe”. But eater, beware: A growing mountain of evidence indicates that MSG may be more toxic...

The Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) calls on consumers to avoid eating instant noodles as it is harmful to health. Studies have shown that high sodium consumption is linked to a variety of diseases such as hypertension, heart disease, stroke and kidney damage. In 2004 Malaysians consumed 870 million packets of instant noodles but by 2008 it had increased to more than 1,210 million packets....