Faster way to detect meat bacteria

SERDANG: It will take less than 30 minutes to detect bacteria in raw meat that cause food poisoning using a newly devised kit.


The Immuno Dot-Blot Strip Kit was developed by Malaysian Agricultural Research and Deve­lopment Institute (Mardi) to detect the Salmonella bacteria.

Deputy Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister Chua Tee Yong said the discovery would promote a better quality of food products in Malaysia.

“Compared to previous detection methods, the kit does not require skilled operator or any special equipment.


“Food importers, food testing laboratory, research institution as well as the public should take advantage of this new technology,” he said after visiting Mardi yesterday.

The kit can be used to detect contamination and the presence of Salmonella in a variety of food products, especially in poultry and meat products.

Salmonella poisoning are commonly referred to as food poisoning. Although the effect is usually a mild disease, the nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea can lead to dehydration and even death.

Chua also said that Mardi was working on a similar kit to detect pesticides in vegetables.

He added that the products were still under commercialisation stage and would be available to the public from next year.

“The ministry will monitor the quality of meat products imported into the country to ensure that they meet the standard requirements set by the ministry.

“Although the Islamic Development Department had approved the import of meats from New Zealand which adhered to our halal specifications, we will continue to inspect the meat products,” he said.


The Star
Thursday December 23, 2010