The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) has announced that it will investigate and inspect imported ‘Shine Muscat’ grapes following reports from Thai agencies alleging the presence of hazardous chemical residues.
Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu indicated that the matter would be referred to relevant agencies, including MARDI, for further verification.
Should the investigation confirm the presence of these substances, the ministry will issue a public announcement and initiate follow-up actions.
“At this point, we have not received any complaints regarding this issue. We will conduct a thorough verification,” he noted during the presentation ceremony for the Water Consumers Group (KPA) at IADA Kemasin Semerak.
He emphasised the importance of this matter due to health implications, stating that ongoing monitoring will take place. “If any hazardous chemicals are found, we will take appropriate measures,” he added.
Local netizens were equally shocked by the news, with some claiming that they had just bought said fruit.
On a separate note, another netizen cautioned against eating too much of it.
“I used to work at a fruit shop. For those with asthma and diabetes/chronic illnesses, it’s best to avoid eating them. The sugar content is quite high,” he said.
“I once had a customer tell me that after eating just a little, they had trouble breathing. Buy Autumn Crisp grapes from South Africa. They’re a bit more expensive, but they’re good and have a genuine sweet-sour taste,” he added.
Earlier, the Thai Pesticide Alert Network (Thai-PAN) had warned about contamination in Shine Muscat grapes, reporting that many samples tested contained chemical residues exceeding permissible limits.
Both Thai-PAN and the Thailand Consumers Council (TCC) have urged the Ministry of Public Health to act swiftly, including requiring importers and distributors to label the country of origin for these imported grapes.
Muscat grapes are a large variety from Europe, known for their golden-green seeds, sweet flavour, and delicate aroma. – Oct 29, 2024
Main image: thevocket
