GEORGE TOWN • The Malaysian authorities will not be taking a pre-mixed coffee product that caused several people to fall ill off the shelves because there is no evidence to suggest that the product was contaminated at the main production line, Health Minister S. Subramaniam said yesterday.

Datuk Seri Dr Subramaniam said that apart from the samples of coffee sachets which police say were tampered with and contained substances believed to be drugs, there was no evidence for now to put the blame on the producers of the coffee product.

"Until we finalise the investigation, we would advise people to be careful. And until we have stronger evidence to incriminate the producers, we do not have any immediate intention to withdraw it from the shelves in stores," he said at a press conference after an event yesterday.

Dr Subramaniam said that the ministry had paid a visit to the factory and found no evidence of drugs after conducting tests on their products.

On Saturday, George Town police chief Anuar Omar revealed that substances were found in the samples of pre-mixed coffee consumed by two Nepalese security guards.

"Checks showed that the sachets were opened and resealed as signs of tearing were found at the bottom.

"The resealed sachets also weighed 10g more than its ori-ginal weight of 40g. There was a green substance inside which is different from the original," he said.

Police have not specified the type of drug found in the sachets.

Five patients received treatment at Penang Hospital between Jan 27 and 30 after consuming the pre-mixed durian coffee.

The victims, who included the two Nepalese guards, were warded with severe fatigue after drinking the beverage.

Singapore's food authority, however, has taken the pre-caution of recalling the pro-duct known as Coffee Tree MyCafe 4-in-1 Penang Durian White Coffee while the case is being investigated.

THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK