KUALA LUMPUR - The authorities in Malaysia have seized RM250,000 (S$94,058) worth of imitation products of the popular Milo chocolate drink in Negeri Sembilan, prompting Nestle Malaysia to embark on a campaign to educate its customers on how to spot the fake from the real thing.

Malay daily Utusan Malaysia reported that the counterfeit products were ready to be distributed around the state. The raid in Mantin was conducted by the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry on March 13, said the report.

Other items seized were 1,000 empty boxes, 50,000 empty plastic packs, a printer, a weighing machine and a numbering printer.

Malay Mail Online reported that six immigrants from Myanmar and Indonesia were also arrested.

Following the raid, Nestle Malaysia started a campaign to help consumers identify counterfeits of its iconic drink. It posted a photo on Facebook explaining to consumers how to distinguish fake Milo packaging based on the perforation of its pack.

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It said the original Milo packaging is machine packed and cut, and the edges on the top of an original pack will not have perfect perforation, unlike that on a fake package.

"Dear fans, Nestlé Malaysia has been alerted that the authorities have found counterfeit versions of Milo packaging and Milo powder being produced in Negeri Sembilan," the company said on its official Facebook page.

"Please be assured that we are working very closely with the relevant authorities especially the Ministry of Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism to ultimately curb this matter as the safety and quality of our products is a non-negotiable priority of Nestlé."

The company also urged customers to lodge reports with its customer service if they purchased counterfeit versions of the chocolate drink.

Malay Mail Online said Nestlé Malaysia reportedly claimed in 2009 that Malaysia is the world's largest drinkers of Milo.