MOH seizes 19,960 Gala, Granny Smith apples in Sarawak

BALIK PULAU: The Health Ministry today seized Granny Smith and Gala apples worth RM82,000 in Sarawak.
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya said some 20,000 Granny Smith and Gala apples were being recalled nationwide after the presence of Listeria Monocytogenes bacteria was found on it.
He said the apples were seized in Kuching and Sibu respectively following the discovery of the bacteria.
"So far, there are no cases been reported in the country yet, " he said at a press conference after attending a thanksgiving lunch in Balik Pulau today.
It had been reported that the bacteria was detected at an apple processing centre in Bidart Bros near Bakersfield, California.
Listeriosis can causes fever, severe headache, nausea and stiff neck, and pregnant women and the elderly are particularly at risk.
Hilmi said the ministry has also taken proactive measures by seizing all the apples from the said company, adding that it was viewing the matter seriously.
He added the apples will be imported back to the country once the United States health authority confirmed it is safe for consumers.
On Saturday, the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry had announced a restriction on the entry of Gala and Granny Smith apples from the United States (US) into Malaysia.
Its minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the restriction was imposed by the Department of Malaysian Quarantine Inspection Services (Maqis) after the ministry received a notice on the contamination two days ago.
"We received a notice from US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) informing us about the contamination and it is understood that it has caused three deaths and many fallen ill in the US and Canada," he said.
However, he said, the ministry had no jurisdiction to recall the apples that were already in Malaysia, as it involved food nutrition under the Health Ministry.
The issue related to the ban on the apples had spread via social media for the past few days.
Later, in a statement on Saturday, Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the ministry had ordered importers to recall all Granny Smith apples in the market and seal stocks at their premises.
He said the ministry has been updated on the status of Granny Smith and Gala apples marketed by Bidart Brothers, Bakersfield, California.
The ministry, he said, was working with the FDA on the matter besides intensifying quarantine and tests on apples imported from the US at all entry points.
He said it would be difficult to detect the contamination via sight and smell because the fruits would appear normal.
Under Section 13 of the Food Act 1983, importing, distributing and stocking food which contain harmful substances is an offence and offenders can be fined not more than RM100,000 or jailed not more than 10 years or both, if convicted.
Queries can be directed to the Health Ministry through the nearest state or district health department or website http://fsq.moh.gov.my or Facebook BKKM www.facebook.com/bkkmhq.