KUALA LUMPUR: A mother's distress over her daughter named Chempaka Aulia needing 20 teeth extracted due to toothache has stirred debate on milk additives.
The young mother shared her plight in a viral TikTok post to raise awareness, emphasising the importance of monitoring children's nutrition and dental health.
Two weeks before the incident, Farm Fresh Group chief operating officer Azmi Zainal, better known as 'Boss Susu, caused a stir when he posted a statement about maltodextrin and milk consumption at a young age and the risk of maltodextrin in dairy products.
However, in his efforts to produce milk without maltodextrin, he was also attacked and criticised by other competitors.
In response, TikTok users and medical experts, such as Dr Wan, emphasised the negative effects of excessive sugar intake, including inflammation and insulin resistance, emphasising the importance of prudent dietary choices.
Dietary sugar is identified as a major contributor to tooth decay.
The National Dental Health Survey found that nearly 75 per cent of preschool children in Malaysia suffer from bleeding gums and tooth decay, affecting their confidence and development.
Experts recommend choosing formulas with premium nutrient blends such as Probiotics, Prebiotic FOS and Omega 3, while avoiding ingredients like maltodextrin and solid cornstarch.
While some milk formulas marketed for children aged one year and above may have beneficial ingredients, most contain maltodextrin, a type of carbohydrate.
This ingredient, though colorless and odorless, provides a slightly sweet taste and is added to milk formula to provide babies with energy, mimicking the carbohydrate content of breast milk.