The Nation

Lab tests by the Department of Science Service (DSS) have found that milk samples collected from schools in three provinces were all substandard.

"We have collected 60 milk packets from schools in Chumphon, Ratchaburi and Sukhothai," Science Minister Kalaya Sophonpanich said yesterday, "None meets the nutritious standards set by the Public Health Ministry".

The milk packets are part of the government's project to give free milk to young children at their schools.

Kalaya said the Education Ministry asked DSS to check the quality of free milk after a school in Chumphon complained about the milk's strange taste.

Last Friday, the Food and Drug Administration also announced that the Regional Medical Sciences Centre, Surat Thani had found milk collected from the complaining school was substandard.

"These findings will be sent to the Education Ministry and then to Cabinet," Kalaya said yesterday.

DSS director-general Pathom Yamkate said relevant authorities should find out why the milk sent to schools was substandard.

Education Minister Jurin Laksanawisit said Cabinet would today discuss the school-milk scheme.

"I think relevant ministries should set up a panel to handle milk procurement for schools," Jurin said.