25-4-2024 (KUALA LUMPUR) Malaysian authorities have uncovered parasites in a shipment of canned sardines weighing over 16 tonnes imported from China via Singapore, as reported by Malaysian media.
The Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department (Maqis) disclosed that samples from the batch were found to be contaminated with anisakis worms, a type of parasite known to cause infections with symptoms including abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea if ingested.
According to Malay Mail, the shipment, valued at RM83,879 (S$24,000), arrived in Singapore from China on March 27 before making its way into Malaysia via lorry without an import permit.
The consignment of sardines was intercepted at the Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine Complex at Bangunan Sultan Iskandar (BSI) checkpoint in Johor Bahru. The lorry driver, aged 30, was questioned by officials before being released.
It remains unclear whether the contaminated canned sardines were distributed for sale in Singapore.
In Malaysia, individuals found guilty of importing items containing pests, diseases, or contaminants can face fines of up to RM100,000, imprisonment for up to six years, or both.
A 2020 study by the University of Washington revealed a significant increase in anisakis infections globally since the 1970s, reaching a 283-fold rise. While the precise cause of this surge remains uncertain, researchers have suggested factors such as climate change, increased nutrient levels from fertilisers and runoff, and a rise in marine mammal populations as possible contributors.
