Malaysia Berry insights

Authorities in Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia confirm no harmful residues found on imports of Shine Muscat grapes after further tests, but trade reports drop in sales

Recently, the Consumer Council of Thailand announced that 23 out of 24 samples of Sunshine grapes sold in Bangkok and surrounding areas were found to contain harmful chemical residues exceeding the legally acceptable limits, including chlorpyrifos and endrin aldehyde. Thailand claimed that a total of 50 different types of toxic residues were detected, and only 9 of the 24 samples could be traced back to their sources, all from China, and the country of origin of the remaining 15 samples could not be determined. The Consumer Council of Thailand has urged the Thai Food and Drug Administration (Thai FDA) to take legal action against Sunshine Rose importers. The price of Sunshine Rose sold in Thailand plummeted, and a large number of grapes were forced to be removed from the shelves. The above situation in Thailand has caused widespread concern among consumers in many Southeast Asian countries, and relevant departments in many countries have urgently tested Sunshine Rose imported from China. According to the Malaysian Star (the According to the Star, the Malaysian Ministry of Health said in a statement on October 28 that the Food Quality and Safety Project analyzed 234 grape samples, of which only 4 samples did not meet the maximum residue requirements, but these samples were not Sunshine Rose varieties. The ministry also assured the public that it would conduct positive checks at the border to ensure food safety. According to Singapore's Asia News Channel (CNA), on October 30, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) publicly responded that Sunshine Rose in the Singapore market is safe to eat and has been tested for pesticides and other quality control measures. The Singapore Food Agency stated in a statement that Singapore's Sunshine Rose grapes are mainly imported from countries such as China, South Korea and Japan, and the pesticide test on Sunshine Rose has not found any impact. The agency will continue to test and monitor the situation to protect public health. If it is found that the food fails the agency's inspection and food safety test, it will not be allowed to be sold. On October 31, the Indonesian National Food Agency (Bapanas) also released monitoring results, saying that rapid tests showed that Sunshine Rose grapes imported from China met food safety standards and were safe to eat. According to reports, rapid tests were conducted at nearly 100 points across Indonesia, and 90% of the samples were negative. The remaining 10% of the samples had residues within a safe range and could be eaten safely. Some samples were sent to the laboratory to confirm their ingredients. In response to the panic of domestic consumers in Thailand, the Thai Food and Drug Administration also responded. According to Thai Public Television (Thailand Public Television) PBS reported that the Thai Food and Drug Administration said that the public does not need to worry too much about the monitoring results. The 36 pesticides detected in grapes are all within the safe range. It is recommended to soak grapes in baking soda solution or clean water for 15 minutes before eating them, and then rinse them with running water for 30 seconds. At the same time, the Thai Food and Drug Administration has strengthened the control of imported fruits and vegetables to ensure that chemical residues are within safe limits. Image source: pixabay; tempo.co2024 International Fruit and Vegetable Report All Rights Reserved Please contact International Fruit and Vegetable Report for permission and indicate that it is from International Fruit and Vegetable Report

KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of Health (MOH) is aware of the report of The Thai Pesticide Alert Network (Thai-PAN) and some local media related to Shine Muscat grapes containing pesticide residues exceeding the maximum allowed level (MRL). The Ministry of Health through a statement informed that through the Food Safety and Quality Program (PKKM) always monitors and enforces food safety including imported food based on the Food Act 1983 and the Regulations under it. He said in Malaysia pesticide residues are controlled under Regulation 41, Food Regulations 1985 which also refers to Codex international standards. "Based on KKM data, throughout the period from 2020 until September 2024, a total of 5,561 samples of imported vegetables and fruits were analyzed for pesticide residues and a total of 165 (2.97 percent) samples were found not to comply with the MRL. "PKKM has taken enforcement action on vegetables