Ministry tightens rules over bird’s nests

Star: KUALA LUMPUR: Owners of bird's nest processing premises have been given until Oct 1 to register their businesses with the Health Ministry in a move to regulate and control the product's quality.
“At the moment, the premises are only registered with the local authorities, not with the ministry,” said minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, adding that the Chinese Government had expressed concern over the high levels of nitrite contained in the nests exported to the country.
“China is taking the issue very seriously,” he said at a press conference here yesterday.
Liow said the Government had agreed that any food item exported to the China would have to be certified by the ministry and the Veterinary Services Department.
“We will take action against premises that do not register with us by Oct 1,” he said, adding that they could also be fined up to RM10,000 for not doing so.
Their registration forms can be obtained from the state health department, district health offices or online at fosimdomestic.moh.gov.my.
Liow said the processing premises would be given until the end of the year to implement the food safety assurance system or be fined up to RM10,000.
He said operators could choose from the 1Malaysia Food Safety Scheme (SK1M), Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) or the Good Manufacturing Practice, all of which were endorsed by the ministry.
He said the SK1M, which is free of charge, was implemented to assist small and medium entrepreneurs.
“To date, 64 companies have already obtained the SK1M certification.”