JOHOR BAHRU (April 25): The Johor branch of the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department (Maqis) found parasitic worms Anisakis sp in samples of sardine cans from China that were brought in through the Sultan Iskandar Building (BSI) here, earlier this month.

State Maqis director Edie Putra Md Yusof said the worms were found following a seizure of a lorry carrying a load of canned sardines weighing about 16,320 kilogrammes, worth RM83,879.84, which was imported from Singapore without a permit.

He said further inspection carried out by Maqis enforcement officers on some of the canned sardines had found them to contain the worms.

“Following that, some sardine cans were sent to the Chemistry Department for verification, where the laboratory analysis report found the parasitic worm, identified as Anisakis sp.

“It is an offence under Section 14 (a) of the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Act 2011 (Act 728) for importing goods containing pests, diseases or contaminants; and offenders can be prosecuted under the same law," he said in a statement on Thursday.

He said the department is committed to carrying out inspections and enforcements at the country’s entry points, to ensure there are no pests or diseases entering the country, so as to guarantee Malaysia's food safety.