FDA opposes increasing UHT ratio

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cautioned against a proposal to increase the ratio of UHT milk in the schoolmilk project.

"Pasteurised milk is more nutritious," Agriculture permanent secretary Charanthada Kannasut quoted an FDA representative as saying.

A proposal from relevant ministers suggests the ratio of UHT milk to pasteurised milk rise to 70:30.

The ratio is now 30:70.

Representatives from relevant authorities, including the FDA, the Budget Bureau and the Office of Basic Education Commission, yesterday met to discuss the proposal.

Charanthada said the FDA representative also complained about the fact that UHT milk cartons were not environmentally friendly.

"They're difficult to dispose of," the representative said, adding that the proposal, if approved, could hurt many present pasteurisedmilk suppliers.

These suppliers produce milk solely for the schoolmilk project.

Charanthada said the Interior Ministry's representative pointed out that UHT milk was more expensive than the pasteurised beverage.

"Compared with a pasteurised milk bag, the price of a UHT milk carton is 30 satang higher," the representative said.

Charanthada said the Interior Ministry representative suggested the Education Ministry handle the schoolmilk project itself.

These days, local administrative organisations - which are under Interior Ministry supervision - have been entrusted with the task of selecting the best milk suppliers for schools.

The schoolmilk project has come under intense scrutiny lately, because schools have complained about the poor quality of the milk, and the Public Sector AntiCorruption Commission (PACC) found there were grounds to suspect corruption in the project.

Charanthada said despite the need to be cautious, the ratio of UHT milk should increase, because it was very easy for pasteurised milk to spoil.

"UHT milk cartons are easier to store and distribute," he said.

The proposal to increase the ratio of UHT milk will be presented to the Cabinet next Tuesday.

Meanwhile, PACC secretarygeneral Tharit Pengdit defended the local administrative organisations' role in the scandalplagued project.

"These organisations have followed procurement guidelines. The problem is bidding collusion seems to have taken place," he said.

The Revenue Department has vowed to investigate the tax payments of all schoolmilk suppliers, because there is evidence some in the South did not pay taxes, said department adviser Satit Rangkasiri.

He said tax officials were also checking the tax payments of private firms supplying books and other educational materials to schools.

Acting AntiMoney Laundering Office secretarygeneral Sihanart Prayoonrat said his office would look into financial transactions made by Charoen Dejkerd, a businessman whose role in the schoolmilk scandal was suspicious, only after the PACC, the Department of Special Investigation and the National AntiCorruption Commission made a request.