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Frantic buying of Bear Brand milk in Indonesia after claims that it protects against Covid-19

KUALA LUMPUR — A buying frenzy for a brand of milk in Indonesia emerged over the weekend after a rumour circulated that drinking the it could boost a person's production of antibodies to prevent a Covid-19 infection.

Shoppers captured in a viral social media video shoving others to get their hands on a carton of Nestle's Bear Brand sterilised milk in Tangerang, Indonesia, after rumours surfaced that it could kill the coronavirus.

Shoppers captured in a viral social media video shoving others to get their hands on a carton of Nestle's Bear Brand sterilised milk in Tangerang, Indonesia, after rumours surfaced that it could kill the coronavirus.

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KUALA LUMPUR — A buying frenzy for a brand of milk in Indonesia emerged over the weekend after a rumour circulated that drinking the it could boost a person's production of antibodies to prevent a Covid-19 infection.

The Coconuts Jakarta portal reported that several videos had gone viral in the Indonesia showing shoppers pushing and shoving to get their hands on cartons of Nestle's Bear Brand sterilised milk.

As demand spiked for the beverage, resellers hiked prices to as high as 50,000 Indonesia rupiah (S$4.60) from its original price of 9,000 rupiah (S$0.80).

The manufacturer Nestle said its hands were tied on the price surge but promised to ensure constant supply in the market to keep the price steady.

The Indonesian Medical Association said the particular brand of milk does not kill the coronavirus and that it gives the same nutritional benefits as any regular milk.

The medical association's Covid-19 task force head Zubairi Djoerban was quoted saying: “Go ahead if you want to drink Bear Brand milk or powdered milk. No one is better than the other, except sweetened condensed milk, which is low in protein."

He said, however, that for complete nutritional benefits, it would be better to eat vegetables, fruits, carbs, vitamins, and minerals, not just milk. MALAY MAIL

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viral video Covid-19 coronavirus Indonesia panic buying

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