Ministry to investigate claims of contaminated chicken

The Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry will investigate the claim that chicken imported from Thailand was the cause of food poisoning that killed four people in Kedah recently.

Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said so far, the ministry had not received any report on this claim, but it will be investigated to determine whether the imported chicken contained life-threatening virus.

"We will inform and seek the cooperation of the Health Ministry to further investigate the matter."

He said this after attending the introduction session for candidates for Umno supreme council and Wanita, Youth and Puteri executive committee posts, here, last night.

Four people died from food poisoning after consuming a chicken dish, "ayam masak merah", said to be contaminated with the bacteria salmonella, served at a wedding feast in Kampung Huma, Tanjung Dawai in Merbok, Kedah on Sept 28.

Ismail Sabri said the normal practice was that, the Health Ministry would issue a written approval before a food product could be imported into this country.

"We had before stopped the import of chicken from China due to the avian flu outbreak and the same thing happened with pork for health reason.

"Hence, when a viral issue arises involving food, the Health Ministry should inform us first and we will always extend our cooperation in tackling the issue," he said.