DG: Lab results out on Friday
THE laboratory test results on samples from CEM014 farm, due to possible Salmonella enteritidis (SE) presence, will be known on Friday.
Veterinary Services Department (VSD) director-general Datuk Dr Norlizan Mohd Noor said the samples were being tested to detect the presence of the bacteria.
“For the latest case of an egg farm that was detected to be contaminated with SE bacteria, as reported by Singapore recently, the test result is still at the laboratory testing stage.
“We are actively conducting tests on the samples obtained, and maybe in two or three days, we will get the results,” he said when contacted by Berita Harian yesterday.
Asked how the contamination could have happened, Norlizan said it could be during the handling and marketing process.
He added that contamination could also occur at farms due to poor farming practices, in terms of biosecurity and farm hygiene.
He said SE contamination was also reported to occur worldwide.
He said the department, via its National Animal Disease Surveillance Programme, will be enhancing the SE monitoring system at 276 farms nationwide, to ensure safety of eggs that are being supplied to the market.
Recently, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) ordered four importers to recall eggs from Linggi Agriculture here, after it was found to be contaminated with SE.
Earlier on March 12, SFA had directed four importers to recall eggs from a Malaysian company, Lay Hong Bhd farm (CES008), after it detected the presence of SE.
However, the VSD on March 21, denied the presence of SE bacteria in the CES008 eggs.