Malaysia does not import protein powders made out of pig blood

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia does not import from China protein powders made from pig blood which was used as animal feed, said the Veterinary Services Department today.

Its director-general Datuk Dr Quaza Nizamuddin Hassan Nizam said the department had issued a ban order for imported live pigs or frozen pork products since Sept 18 due to the spread of the African Swine Fever (ASF) disease.

“The department is referring to a report by the Asian Age on Dec 25, which reported that the Chinese authorities have detected the ASF virus in the protein powders made from pig blood.

“To make things clear, Malaysia does not import the said protein powders and a ban order has been issued for all swine products, either alive or frozen,” he said in a statement here.

Deputy Agriculture and Agro-based Minister Sim Tze Tzin reportedly said Malaysia had temporarily stopped the import of all pork-based products from six countries as part of efforts to control the spread of the ASF disease.

The six countries are China, Poland, Russia, Moldova, Ukraine and Hungary.

China had found the ASF virus in some protein powders made using pork blood and manufactured by a Tianjin-based company.

Reuters reported that the raw material for the contaminated protein product, mainly used for animal feed, came from 12 slaughterhouses in Tianjin.

Source: NST