The milk powder supply and price have both stabilised according to the latest milk powder survey report completed by the Consumer Council (CC), while some products did show a slight increment in pricing.
“Prices of 20 brands and 80 different varieties of milk powder were recorded; no price charges were found for most products this time, but certain brands like Nestlé, Wyeth Gold Line and Snow Brand registered a price increase of 5 percent to 16 percent,” said the press release of the Consumer Council.
The Council also found that the selling prices of milk powder in newly surveyed drugstores were relatively higher than those recorded on previously surveyed supermarkets and drugstores.
In order to provide consumers with the most informative and up-to-date information, the Council assured it would continue, “to record prices of different varieties of milk powder in different locations.”
Meanwhile, the Council also made a reference that although the Health Bureau had previously identified traces of melamine in several Nestlé milk products, local agencies refused consumers' requests to return the concerned products, since the amount of melamine detected fell within the standard limits of nearby regions.
The Council has received over 10 consumer complaints seeking help on the subject. “Considering consumers' fear about melamine, and potential health problems for infants and children, it is hoped that local agencies would accept consumers' requests to return products,” read the press release.
The latest milk powder survey price report can be accessed from the Consumer Council's website  www.consumer.gov.mo  and is also available at Consumer Council offices, supermarkets and drugstores.