KUALA LUMPUR – The Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) has taken follow-up action by visiting and conducting an investigation on Lay Hong Bhd’s ‘CES 008’ farm in Jeram, Selangor, to identify the cause of Salmonella enteritidis (SE) contamination, which led to a recall of the company’s eggs in Singapore.
DVS in a statement today informed that the department has begun tracing the source of the infection besides checking vaccination records, egg production and records of disease surveillance programmes on the farm.
“Eggs from the CES 008 farm are not allowed to be sold in the local market as table eggs until the results of the investigation are obtained. Eggs from this farm are only for the production of egg products that undergo heat treatment at the company’s processing plant located in Kapar and Meru, Selangor.
“DVS also conducted inspections and sampling for SE testing on all farms owned by Lay Hong Bhd to ensure that the company’s farm eggs are SE-free,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, DVS informed the suspension of egg exports from the CES 008 farm for the Singapore market did not affect exports from other farms, as well as supply for the local market.
It said that Salmonellosis was also among the diseases monitored at all poultry farms in Malaysia through the National Animal Disease Surveillance Programme.
Yesterday, Bernama reported that Singapore had instructed four importers in the country to recall eggs produced by Lay Hong Bhd Layer Farm Jeram in Malaysia, as a precautionary measure.
The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) said the directive was made following the discovery of SE bacteria in the product, which can cause foodborne illness if is eaten raw or half-cooked.
According to the DVS, there are over 2000 species of Salmonella, and symptoms of the infection in humans include abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and fever. Nevertheless, SE can be destroyed by cooking the product well.
The department also said it had held an engagement session with the management of Lay Hong Bhd earlier today.
“There are 10 poultry farms owned by Lay Hong Bhd, comprising two pullet farms and eight layer farms. Only one farm, CES 008, exports eggs to Singapore.
“The company has informed that 100 per cent of the eggs produced from the CES 008 farm are for the export market to Singapore. The company has agreed to implement corrective measures and monitoring more frequently, as well as improve biosecurity controls,” read the statement.
Ministry assessing impact
The Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry (KPDNHEP) meanwhile is assessing the impact on egg supply in the domestic market in collaboration with the DVS and Health Ministry.
In a statement yesterday, the KPDNHEP Enforcement Division said that it was monitoring the situation in which the Singapore government had ordered four egg importers to withdraw from the market eggs produced by a Malaysian company.
It said the directive is aimed at vigilance over the importance of food safety and quality control following the alleged discovery of Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) as reported by the media.
“KPDNHEP also held engagement sessions with industry players and poultry producers in the country to be ready to carry out the egg production process to cover any risk of disruption in egg supply in the country,” it said.
The statement said KPDNHEP needs the cooperation of consumers to be prudent in making purchases and not contribute to the disruption of the egg supply due to panic buying.
“KPDNHEP would like to warn traders not to take advantage of this situation by increasing egg prices. Traders can be subject to action under Section 14(1) of the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011.
“If convicted, traders can be fined up to RM500,000 for a corporation/company while non-corporations/individuals can be fined up to RM100,000 or imprisoned for a period not exceeding three years or both,” he said.
Consumers can channel information on complaints related to the misconduct of traders who violate the law under the jurisdiction of KPDNHEP through the complaint channel provided by the ministry, such as by calling 1-800-886-800 or via WhatsApp at 019-279 4317.
It was reported that Singapore had instructed four importers to withdraw from the market eggs that were produced at Lay Hong Berhad Layer Farm Jeram in Malaysia, as a precautionary measure.
The Singapore Food Agency said on its website that the directive was made following the discovery of SE on the product which can cause food-borne illness, if eggs are consumed in its raw state or half- cooked.
