Army to end infant milk monopolization

Army spokesperson Brigadier General Mohamed Samir responded on Saturday to critics on social media over the military involvement in the distribution of subsidized infant milk imports.

Dozens of mothers staged a protest on Thursday against a shortage of subsidized infant milk, which is primarily being imported by the Egyptian Pharmaceutical Trading Company in Cairo.

Health Minister Ahmed Emad said in a press conference over the crisis on Thursday that the Armed Forces have imported 30 million packages of infant milk that are being distributed among pharmacies for those who are in need of subsidized milk.

Critics on facebook and twitter said the military took over the process of importing infant milk to expand its business empire, which already covers the industries of foodstuffs, private schools, hotels, hospitals and home appliances.

Brig. Samir said on Saturday that the Armed Forces found that the companies importing infant milk are monopolizing the sale of milk packages; driving up prices and increasing the struggle for low income families.

He added that the Armed Forces are targeting the opportunist merchants and companies who are have a monopoly on infant milk, out of a sense of duty to provide for the needs of the poor - as the army also does by laying on basic commodities like meat products at low prices.

Rumors continue to circulate, however, that the subsidized milk is sold to sweet shops to improve the quality of products.