KUALA LUMPUR: Mandarin oranges sold nationwide do not have any sulphur dioxide.
Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah in confirming absence of the preservative in the citrus fruit today said this was based on inspections conducted by the Health Ministry between 2015 and 2016.
He was commenting to social media postings, claiming that mandarin oranges sold in the country contained the substance.
He said sulphur dioxide has been analysed and confirmed safe for use in food at a certain rate by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA).
Dr Noor Hisham said according to the provisions in the Food Regulations 1985 under the Food Act 1983, the use of sulphur dioxide as preservative in certain food including fresh fruits such as mandarin oranges is allowed at a rate not exceeding 30mg/kg.
He said under sub-regulation 20(6) of Food Regulations 1985, each container of food including mandarin oranges which had been treated with sulphur dioxide not exceeding 10mg/kg, must be labeled with the statement "contains sulphur dioxide".
Under sub-regulation 11(1)(j) of the Food Regulations 1985 for imported food including mandarin oranges, the name and address of the packer and importer including the name of the country from which the food originates must be stated on the label, he said.
"Sulphur dioxide is not hazardous to humans when used at permissible levels,” he said in a statement.
However, it can cause breathlessness in people sensitive to the gas when inhaled or swallowed.
Dr Noor Hisham said the ministry will continue monitoring mandarin oranges sold in the market to ensure they are safe for consumption.
Those who fails to comply with the regulation can be fined not exceeding RM5,000 or face a jail term of not exceeding two years.
In this regard, anyone found making false labelling could be imprisoned for a period not more than three years or a fine or both as provided under Section 16 of the Food Act 1983.
Dr Noor Hisham said it is the responsibility of parties such as importers, agents and traders to ensure that imported mandarin oranges which are sold here adhere to the food regulations.