Media Statement by Kelvin Yii:
The Ministry of Health(MoH) together with other Ministries including the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security(MAFS) are being vigilant and taking serious measures to ensure food safety especially those imported from Japan due to reports of Fukushima nuclear wastewater release.
Food safety is not something that will be compromised and through the Ministry of Health, “high-risk” food imports from Japan will be subject to Level 4 (surveillance) examination to screen for radioactive elements as the island nation moves to release water from its troubled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.
This is something MoH through the ministry’s Food Safety and Quality Division has done in an event of possible risk including monitoring Japanese food imports from May 2011 to April 2012 following the earthquake that led to a triple meltdown of the power plant.
Samples were collected and analysed to ensure all falls within regulatory limits which is regulated under Regulation 37 of the Food Regulations 1985, with guidance from the Food and Agriculture Organization’s General Standard for Contaminants and Toxins in Food and Feed.
I understand some of the anxieties and even concerns raised by public even to me and that is why in order to address this concern, the Ministry is committed to constantly monitoring national entry points and local markets to ensure food safety is guaranteed.
While i respect the choice of the consumer whether to be cautious with their purchase, but the Ministries including MoH & MAFS are on high alert to ensure food supplied to Malaysia are safe for consumption.
Currently, there are NO live marine fish import from Japan according to the Department of Fisheries (DOF) Malaysia.
For other non-live fishery products from Japan, both Ministries and other relevant authorities such as the Department of Malaysian Quarantine Inspection Services(MAQIS) and Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority (LKIM) are constantly monitoring food safety issue levels including checks on health certifications and radiation during post import.
