Deputy Minister of Agriculture Sudaryono stated that his ministry has instructed the Directorate General of Horticulture to conduct checks on imported products, including Shine Muscat grapes.
"We are checking the fruit products through the Directorate General of Horticulture," he said on Tuesday.
He emphasized that the ministry will carry out comprehensive checks to ensure product safety.
"We will be verifying the safety of these agricultural products," he added.
Earlier, authorities in Thailand detected pesticide residues in Shine Muscat grapes sold in the market.
The Thailand Consumer Council reported that 23 out of 24 Shine Muscat grape samples tested contained hazardous chemical residues exceeding safe limits.
This prompted Malaysia to conduct tests on Shine Muscat grapes as well.
A member of Commission IX of the House of Representatives (DPR), Irma Suryani, urged the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) to coordinate with the Quarantine Agency to investigate reports of dangerous substances found in Japanese Muscat grapes.
During a working meeting with BPOM head Taruna Ikrar on Tuesday, Suryani noted that the Commission cannot directly request the Quarantine Agency to perform checks, as it is not a working partner. However, BPOM has the authority to make such a request.
According to its website, the Quarantine Agency is responsible for managing an integrated quarantine system to ensure the safety and quality of food and feed.
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Translator: Maria Cicilia G P, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Tia Mutiasari
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