Govt says it has no data on bacteria-contaminated milk products

The Health Ministry on Thursday it had no data on bacteria-contaminated milk products despite the fact the Supreme Court had ordered it to publicly reveal its alleged information.

Health Minister Endang Rahayu Sedyaningsih said the data on bacteria-contaminated infant milk products was based on research conducted by Bogor Institute of Agriculture (IPB).

“IPB is independent. It has no obligation to report its findings to the Health Ministry,” Endang said as quoted by kontan.co.id.

IPB researcher Sri Estuningsih conducted the research between April and April in 2006, she said. The research found that 22.73 percent of 22 infant milk products were contaminated by with the enterobacter sakazaki bacteria.

David Tobing, representing public consumers, filed a lawsuit against the Health Ministry, demanding the public disclosure of the research. The Supreme Court issued a verdict in favor of David.