- The Agri-food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) has lifted the suspension on the harvesting and sale of all fish from the fish farms located in the area affected by the chemical spill with immediate effect. These fish farms are located in the coastal waters of the Johor Straits, in the Pulau Ubin and Loyang areas.
- The fish from these farms are now safe for consumption. Phenol does not accumulate in the tissue and is quickly excreted from the body. Once the source of contamination is removed, the fish is able to get rid of the phenol in 1 to 2 days.
- AVA's Veterinary Public Health Laboratory (VPHL) has tested fish samples from these farms and is satisfied that the fish are free from phenol from the chemical spill. The traces of phenol earlier detected in the guts of the fish had been totally excreted and is no longer present in the fish.
- VPHL uses a wide range of laboratory tests to routinely determine product safety and to ensure freedom from disease, harmful chemicals, toxins, food poisoning and spoilage organisms. Tests are carried out in accordance with internationally recognised procedures and methods. The laboratory employs state-of-the-art instruments and technologies and highly competent expertise in a wide range of assays to detect invisible chemical and microbiological hazards so as to ensure the safety of food for human consumption.
- In the case of phenol spill in the sea, the AVA uses gas chromatograph mass spectrometry to detect the minute traces of phenol in the water and the fish. The equipment and method are able to detect the presence of phenol to as low as parts per billion.
Issued by Agri-food & Veterinary Authority
on Saturday, 12 Aug 2000
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