School milk is substandard

"The protein level in the milk does not meet the standard set by the Public Health Ministry," Food and Drug Administration deputy secretary general Dr Pongpan Vongmanee said yesterday, citing findings at the Regional Medical Sciences Centre, Surat Thani.

Pupils poured it away

Authorities at Chumphon province's Paklek School complained recently after noticing that pupils often threw their milk away. In a bid to boost children's development, the government has provided an annual budget of around Bt12 billion to serve free milk to schoolchildren.

Pongpan reported that the milk at Paklek School gathered for testing on Monday was from Namsichon Factory.

Countrywide complaints

So far, 11 schools across the country have officially complained about the quality of their milk, prompting Education Minister Jurin Laksanawisit to give orders for inspections.

"We will also look for solutions," he said.

He added that it was the duty of the FDA (who regulate milk quality) and the Interior Ministry (who handle the milk budget) to take legal action against wrongdoers. 

'Give me seven days'

Interior Minister Chaovarat Chanweerakul summoned Local Administration Department director general Sukit Charoenratanakul for a discus¬sion on the issue yesterday afternoon.

Sukit asked for seven days for a probe into the issue. "I have already instructed relevant officials to find out what happened," he said.

He also criticised schools for failing to check the quality of milk before accepting the product.

"If they find that the milk is not of good quality, they should immediately notify the FDA or Farming Promotion Organisation of Thailand," said Sukit.

In response to a report that the scandal could cost him his job, Sukit shot back, "I have done nothing wrong. Why should I be removed from my post?"