PUTRAJAYA: Rockmelons imported from Australia after March 1, are safe for consumption and not contaminated with listeria, the Health Ministry said today.
Its director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, in a statement today, said the ministry, through its Food Safety and Quality division, is working with the Australian High Commissioner Office on the matter.
He said according to the Australian authorities, the contamination was linked to the melons, also called cantaloupes, from a farm in Nericon in New South Wales, Australia.
"The grower has voluntarily stopped producing melons since Feb 23 following the contamination.
"And the High Commissioner's Office in Malaysia has also confirmed that melons exported to Malaysia after March 1 were safe," he added.
It was reported that three people have died and 12 others have fallen ill in a national listeria outbreak linked to contamination by Listeria monocytogenes bacteria, and more cases are expected in Australia last week.
"Listeria bacteria could be found around us including in the soil and water.
"However, food contaminated with the bacteria do not pose serious disease to people but it could be hazardous to infants, elderly, pregnant mothers and people with low immune system (immunocompromised).
"Infections could cause fever, muscular aches, nausea and sometimes diarrhea," Dr Noor Hisham said.
He said the ministry has identified the importer who had bought rockmelons from the farm before March 1 and seized the fruits for checks.
"The fruits will be released back to the importer once they are cleared from listeria infection.
"The importer has also voluntarily recalled the rockmelons from the market." he added.
There were no cases of listeriosis infection due to the consumption of rockmelons reported in Malaysia, he added.
Dr Noor Hisham also advised the public to contact the District Health Offices or State Health Department or via http://moh.spab.gov.my if there were any queries on the matter.