EGG FARM SUSPENSION LIFTED
Dept says SE contamination could have happened along marketing supply chain
LAY Hong Bhd’s egg production suspension from its Jeram 1 farm in Selangor has been lifted after a test conducted by the Veterinary Services Department (DVS) returned negative for salmonella enteritidis (SE).
Lay Hong said a comprehensive investigation was conducted by DVS, which included testing on eggs, chicken faeces, cloacal swab, feed and water.
The tests were completed after more than a week of suspension since SE was found in CES 008 eggs exported from Jeram Farm 1 to Singapore.
Lay Hong executive director Datuk Yap Chor How said the results had shown that it was unlikely that the SE contamination occurred at any of its farms.
“As mentioned by DVS, SE contamination did not occur within
our farms and could possibly happen along the supply to the marketing chain.
“We will leave this for the authority to investigate. Going forward,
we will continue to work with the DVS to strengthen the control and monitoring of our farm.”
Yap said following the negative
SE results, DVS would now initiate engagement with the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) in regards to the matter.
He is hopeful that Singapore would lift the export suspension for its Jeram 1 farm as soon as possible.
On a recent announcement by SFA and AEON Co (M) Bhd about the recall of eggs coded CEM 014, Yap said it was not a product of Lay Hong nor was it produced in any of its farms.
“We would like to apologise to our customers and stakeholders for any misunderstanding. All Lay Hong brands of eggs are safe for human consumption.”
Lay Hong shares closed 1.49 per cent higher to 34 sen yesterday.
A week ago, the stock went down as low as 33.5 sen, or 6.9 per cent, in early trade after SFA directed four importers to recall eggs from Lay Hong’s Layer Farm Jeram.