PUTRAJAYA: Livestock will also be monitored for the presence of Antimicrobial Resistant Organisms (AMR), or better known as superbugs, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.
He said his ministry would enlist the cooperation of other ministries and agencies involved in food production in the matter.
Just as in humans, superbugs could also arise in livestock that were given medication higher than the recommended dosage, he told reporters after opening the 9th meeting of the National Council on Food Safety and Nutrition here yesterday.
He said though there had yet to be any cases as such, nevertheless pre-emptive measures needed to be taken to ensure safety of the food supply chain.
On the meeting, Liow said a major topic discussed was on obesity among Malaysians as the World Health Organisation had ranked Malaysia in sixth place regarding the problem after Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan, which made the country the top ranked “obese” nation in Asia.
“We discussed the problem of obesity among Malaysians at length and the measures that can be taken to tackle it.
Among others we will be carrying out “Malaysian Nutrition Month” campaigns to raise awareness among the people on the dangers of obesity,” he said.
Liow also announced that the Health Ministry’s Food Safety and Quality Division had been upgraded on July 1 with division directors appointed in each of the states to assure food quality and safety.
The meeting was attended by 48 participants from various government agencies and non-governmental organisations involved in food safety and quality. — Bernama