PUTRAJAYA: The government has assured there is sufficient supply of essential food items in the market for the Chinese New Year celebrations next week.
Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub said his ministry was working with the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) on this matter.
"At the same time, we want to ensure that prices of food items are stable," he told reporters after the launch of Antibiotic Fun Run 2020 at the Malaysia Serdang Agricultural Expo Park (MAEPS) near, here, today.
Salahuddin said the Veterinary Services Department would increase its monitoring following the ban on the use of colistin antibiotics on livestock.
"The move is to ensure the livestock, which is our primary source of food, is safe," he said.
Salahuddin said imprudent use of colistin antibiotics in the long run could have serious adverse effects on human health.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said excessive use of antibiotics could lead to antimicrobial resistance (AMR). It renders antibiotics ineffective against bacteria that cause infection, making them invincible. -- Bernama