The Health Ministry has taken regulatory measures on the sardine brand from China which was reported to contain a worm, according to Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.
He said no individuals were affected by consuming the sardines.
"No one had become victims. The worm found in the sardine was dead and not alive,” he told reporters after a post-cabinet meeting with Health Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad at the Health Ministry today.
The Quarantine and Inspection Services Department (Maqis) was reported to have discovered the worm, which could cause the anisakiasis disease in a sardine can sample from China which was brought in through the North Butterworth Container Terminal (NBCT) on May 14.
Maqis director-general Mokhtaruddin Husain said the worm – discovered through physical examination and sampling on several sardine cans, which arrived in two containers labelled 'canned mackerel in tomato sauce' with the brand name Ranesa – was held at the NBCT with an estimated weight of 36,720kg worth RM199,797.24.
The worm was likely to be from the genus Anisakis spp.
Anisakiasis is a parasitic and zoonotic disease brought by fish caused by the nematode Anisakis spp, which attacks the gastrointestinal system such as the stomach and intestines of humans, and can cause gastrointestinal problems or symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting.
Mokhtaruddin also said the act of importing any plant, animal, carcass, fish, agricultural product, soil or microorganism with pests, diseases or contaminants is an offence under Section 14 of the Quarantine and Inspection Services Act 2011.
He added that the case is being investigated for further action.
- Bernama