The Health Ministry urges consumers to check the food they purchase, following social media postings of dates infested with cockroaches and beetles.

Dates are popular during the month of Ramadan, which starts today, as they are conventionally eaten by Muslims to break their daily fast.

"The Health Ministry takes note of viral social media postings of dates infested with cockroaches and beetles.

"We view this seriously and will heighten monitoring of date products sold locally and at the entry points of these products to ensure they are safe for consumption.

"We also urge consumers to use their rights to ensure their products are clean and safe (by) reading the labels and inspecting, smelling and tasting the foods to avoid purchasing spoilt or unclean items," Health director-general Noor Hisham Abdullah said in a statement.

He also urged consumers to contact their local health departments if there are concerns over food safety.

In a Facebook posting, which has gone viral, a user urged consumers to check the insides of their dates for cockroach eggs.

The Facebook user showed pictures of dates which had these alleged cockroach eggs, and said it does not matter what brand the dates are.

"I am just sharing this advice so others don't end up eating cockroaches. It is better to eat rice than to each cockroaches," she said.