PUTRAJAYA: Two canned sardine products from China have been recalled from the local market after they were found to be tainted with dead worms.
Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the ministry has instructed importers Fujian Yongfa Co. Ltd and Dongshan Dongyi Foods Co. Ltd to recall the said products following reports they contain nematode parasitic worms.
He said the Health Ministry’s Food Safety and Quality division had tested the TL Tan Lung and TLC brands of canned sardines in tomato sauce, and found that they failed to comply with the Food Act 1983.
“The Health Ministry, via the Food Safety and Quality Division, will continue to monitor all imported food products, including canned sardines and mackerel, at all entry points, as well as in the market nationwide,” Dr Noor Hisham said in a statement.
He added that the ministry has taken note of the report, which has, incidentally, gone viral on social media.
It was reported that the Indonesian Food and Drug Monitoring Agency had instructed three importers to recall the canned sardines after dead worms were found in them earlier this month.
Dr Noor Hisham said consumers with any complaints on food safety should contact their respective state or district Health Departments, or get in touch with the ministry through its website; or with the Food Safety and Quality division via its Facebook page.