Quaker Oats in Malaysia safe to consume: Health DG

PUTRAJAYA: The Health Ministry has confirmed that the Quaker Oats brand available in the local market does not contain glyphosate, a type of weed killer.
Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah (pix) said according to sub-regulation 41(3) of the Food Regulations 1985, the permitted amount of glyphosate residue in cereals including oats was 30 miligramme/kilogramme.
"The Health Ministry has taken note of the issue relating to glyphosate pesticide residues found in the Quaker Oats cereal products, which went viral on Fox News, New York Post and various social media recently," he said in a statement here today.
He said the website reported that a consumer in Brooklyn, United States had filed a lawsuit against the company for allegedly spraying the glyphosate on oats as a drying agent shortly before the oats are harvested.
According to Noor Hisham, the government has always been sensitive and concerned about issues which could affect consumers safety and security through constant monitoring, in order to ensure the safety and quality level of food is controlled.
"Consumers can contact State Health Departments, the nearest District Health Offices, its website http://moh.spab.gov.my or the Food Safety and Quality Division Facebook page www.facebook.com/bkkmhq if there are any complaints pertaining to food safety," he said. — Bernama