PUTRAJAYA: The Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) has refuted claims made in recent news reports regarding “superbug” risks at local farms, reassuring the public that animal-based food products in Malaysia remain safe for consumption.
In a statement today, the department addressed inaccuracies in articles titled “Superbug risk grows at farms” and “Superbugs found at farm” published on Jan 3.
The department said antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in food-producing animals is closely monitored through long-established veterinary control measures, including mandatory slaughterhouse inspections and annual testing under the National Food Safety Monitoring Programme.
Food safety oversight is further strengthened through the Health Ministry under the Food Act 1983 and Food Regulations 1985.
“AMR surveillance findings reported by the department are derived from targeted national monitoring programmes designed to identify trends and must be interpreted within an appropriate epidemiological context.
“These findings do not indicate compromised food safety or an uncontrolled public health risk. Furthermore, the data presented in the articles, including antibiotic resistance rates of E. coli and Salmonella isolated from livestock in 2024, did not originate from the DVS,” it said.
The department explained that AMR is a multifactorial issue influenced by disease patterns, biosecurity levels, farm management and environmental factors, rather than farm-level antimicrobial use alone.
Since 2012, Malaysia has prohibited the use of critically important antimicrobials for growth promotion and prophylactic purposes in the animal health sector.
DVS added that it continues to implement the Malaysian Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (MyAP-AMR) under a One Health approach coordinated by the National Antimicrobial Resistance Committee (NARC), involving the human health, animal health, food safety and environmental sectors.
The department also reaffirmed its commitment to transparent and science-based communication, urging the public to rely on verified information from official sources.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
