Parasitic worms found in canned sardines imported from China via Singapore

SINGAPORE: A parasitic worm infestation was found in a shipment of canned sardines seized at the Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex in Bangunan Sultan Iskandar (BSI) last month, the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Service (Maqis) said on Thursday (April 25).

The sardines had been imported from China and were in a truck coming from Singapore on March 27. After the truck driver failed to provide the correct import permits for the shipment of 16,320 kilos of canned sardines he was transporting, the shipment was seized by Maqis. .

The seized consignment was valued at RM83,879.84 (S$23,856).

The driver’s statement was taken before he was released New Straits Times reported on April 2.

The star said that because Maqis officers suspected that the seized food was contaminated, samples of the sardines were sent for testing.

On April 25, Mr Edie Putra Md Yusof, the director of Maqis in Johor, said the samples taken revealed the presence of the parasitic worms Anisakis sp. had demonstrated.

“The items were seized and samples of the food were sent for laboratory testing. After the seizure, a laboratory analysis by the Chemistry Department on several samples found that the canned sardines contained the parasitic worms Anisakis sp.

Further checks by Johor Maqis enforcement officers confirmed that the remainder of the consignments of canned sardines seized were also contaminated,” he said.

Anisakiasis disease in humans is caused by Anisakis worms and occurs when people eat raw or undercooked seafood that contains the worms, including fish. The parasitic worm attacks a person’s gastrointestinal tract, including the stomach or intestines, and can cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.

Under Malaysian law, introducing plants, animals, carcasses, fish, agricultural products, soils or microorganisms containing pests, diseases or contaminants is an offense and individuals convicted face a maximum prison sentence of six years, and a fine of no more. than RM10,000 (S$2,848), or both.

The Quarantine Bureau underlined its commitment to enforcement actions at Malaysia’s entry points to ensure that agricultural products are safe and compliant with the country’s laws.

Last year, a woman in Singapore found a live parasitic worm in a ready-made sashimi rice bowl from Don Don Donki. The Singapore Food Agency responded to the incident, saying that “consumers who choose to eat ready-to-eat raw fish should be aware of the risks involved.”

/TISG

Also read: After living parasitic worm found in raw fish by customer at Don Don Donki, SFA warns people to ‘be aware of risks’