The Health Ministry said yesterday that seven samples of milk powder, from the stock is stored in the Port, had been found to be free of DCD when tested by the Industrial Technology Institute (ITI). The stock was therefore fit for human consumption, it said.

The ministry did not name the brands that were free of DCD.

A ministry spokesman told Daily Mirror that, during a meeting of the Food Advisory Committee held yesterday, with the participation of the Director General of Health Dr. P.G Maheepala, it was decided to inform the relevant companies that they could release the stocks to the market.

“The tests for DCD on samples of milk powder imported by two companies were negative; and it was decided to ask the companies to take steps to release the stocks to the market,” he said.

During the meeting it was also decided to test all shipments of milk powder imported into the country.

Meanwhile, ITI chairman Prof. W Abeywickrema told Daily Mirror that the checking of samples was routine and that he was aware that the report had been submitted to the Health Ministry.

However, he said, he could not confirm the contents of the report -- as testing and reporting the results were now routine.(Hafeel Farisz)