Malaysia ice cream chain pulls Pei Pa Koa dessert from shops after rebuke from health ministry

SINGAPORE: Malaysian ice cream chain Inside Scoop has pulled its short-lived Pei Pa Koa dessert from its stores and website following a reprimand from the country’s health ministry. 
The ice cream brand earlier this week promoted its new flavour – vanilla ice cream with the popular herbal cough syrup – touting it as a soothing and “cooling” treat.
However, Malaysia’s Ministry of Health (MOH) on Tuesday (Jul 30) said the sale of such ice cream products was prohibited and against the law. 
Without directly naming Inside Scoop, the ministry said on X that it was aware of an ice cream chain selling ice cream products mixed with Pei Pa Koa syrup. 
The cough syrup is registered with the country’s drug control authority and it is “used to relieve sore throat and cough”, said the ministry on Tuesday evening, adding that it took a serious view of the matter. 
It also noted that the product’s label stated it was “contraindicated in pregnant women”, indicating that it was not advisable for such individuals. 
The company’s Malaysia website also listed “insufficient reliable data in breastfeeding women”. 
In its statement, the ministry reminded those in the food industry to be responsible and ensure all products for sale adhere to the regulations, regardless of marketing or sales objectives. 
Nin Jiom Pei Pa Koa cough syrup – also known as Pi Pa Gao – is meant to relieve cough, soothe sore throat and reduce “heatiness”, which is a concept in traditional Chinese medicine. 
The product, sold by the Nin Jiom Group, contains honey and a variety of herbs.
In Malaysia, it is also known as Cap Ibu dan Anak (Mother and Child Logo), in reference to the crest on the packaging. 
Under Malaysia’s Food Act, it is an offence to adulterate edible items with medicine. It is also prohibited to prepare or sell such items. 
Those found guilty may be fined up to RM20,000 (US$4,400), jailed for up to five years, or both. 
The Health Ministry instructed all premises involved in the sale of such products to immediately stop, with the “safety of consumers and the public” in mind. 
All related advertisements on social media or e-commerce platforms must also be halted, it added. 
Soon after the ministry’s statement, Inside Scoop announced that it would comply with the law.
“Following advice from the Ministry of Health, we’re saying goodbye to our Pei Pa Koa ice cream flavour, effective immediately,” the chain said on Instagram and Facebook. 
It apologised for the “hassle this might cause” adding that refunds would be sorted out for those who placed online orders.
According to Malaysia media reports, Inside Scoop launched the Pei Pa Koa product on Monday, with the sale of the item meant to run until Aug 18. 
Promotional images for the ice cream, which have since been taken down from Inside Scoop’s online platforms, showed the frozen dessert drizzled with brown liquid. Each serving also included a syringe of additional Pei Pa Koa syrup. 
The ice cream chain in Malaysia is not the first in the region to put the popular cough syrup on the menu.
In Singapore, various businesses have also incorporated the syrup into drinks and desserts. 
KOI offered Honey Pi Pa Gao Milk Tea in April last year. It advertised the product as a “soothing blend of traditional honeyed herbal syrup, Pi Pa Gao and KOI’s classic Milk Tea” with a “unique sweetness with a cool minty finish”.
Another bubble tea outlet, Woobbee, offers its own take in the form of its Herbalmint (Pei Pa Koa) tea, available with or without milk. 
Speaking to the New Straits Times, Inside Scoop’s marketing director said all 49 stores nationwide have been ordered to recall and discard the product. 
He told the news outlet that the company had been inspired by similar ice creams in Singapore, where Pei Pa Koa was a “hot-selling flavour”. 
Nin Jiom’s website advised that Pei Pa Koa is to be taken with warm water once diluted or by swallowing the syrup slowly for quick relief.
CNA has contacted the Singapore Food Agency for more information on the use of this product in food.