PUTRAJAYA: Health Ministry has confirmed that Quaker Oatmeal marketed in Malaysia does not contain glyphosate, a type of weed killer.
In a statement today, its director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said based on the ministry's check and monitoring, there have been no traces of the carcinogen so far.
Glyphosate is a widely-used herbicide. The World Health Organisations declared the substances as "probably carcinogenic to humans" in 2015.
He added that the permitted amount of glyphosate residue in cereals including oats was 30mg/kg according Section 41(3) of the Food Security Act 1987.
"The ministry have taken note of the issue which had gone viral on Fox News , New York Post and various social media," he added.
The media had earlier reported that a consumer from Brooklyn, United States of America had filed a federal court law suit on the company for using the substances, which are used both as a weed killer and "is sprayed on the oats as a drying agent shortly before harvest".
Noor Hisham said the ministry is constantly monitoring and concerned about issues which could affect consumers safety and security.
"We will constantly monitor and continue enforcement to make sure the safety and quality level of food is controlled," he added.
He also urged consumers to contact state Health departments, offices or its website http://moh.spab.gov.my and Facebook page if there are any complaints on food safety.