KUALA LUMPUR, August 20 — The Federation of Malaysian Consumers Association (Fomca) has urged Malaysia to transition out of poultry chlorine washes and the use of ractopamine in all food-producing animals beyond banning it only for ruminants.
Fomca chief executive officer Saravanan Thambirajah pointed out that only one poultry slaughter plant in Malaysia uses the air-chilling method that avoids the need for chemical treatment, while also improving meat texture and quality.
“If more plants adopt air chilling and other clean technologies, Malaysia can reduce its reliance on chlorine washes. This would not only align the country with higher international standards, but also reassure consumers who are increasingly concerned about chemical residues in their food,” Saravanan told CodeBlue in a statement yesterday.
“Therefore, while an outright immediate ban may disrupt production, a phased transition supported by government incentives and technical guidance would be a responsible path forward.”
The consumer rights’ group noted that while the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (KPKM) allows chlorine washes in poultry processing as part of international Codex Alimentarius standards, the European Union (EU) has completely banned chlorine-washed chicken since 1997.
“Chlorine washes are meant to reduce microbial contamination after slaughter, but they often act as a corrective measure rather than addressing hygiene at its source,” said Saravanan.
He cited arguments from the EU that preventive hygiene measures – such as better farm management, stricter slaughterhouse sanitation, and advanced chilling methods – offer safer and more sustainable protection for consumers.
CodeBlue reported Monday that while Malaysia’s decision to remove tariffs on 191 American agricultural products has sparked concern over the entry of so-called “chlorinated chicken” and hormone-treated beef into Malaysia, locally produced chicken is already permitted to be treated with a chlorine rinse at the end of the meat production process.
Malaysia also permits the limited use of ractopamine in pigs, but prohibits the growth promoter in ruminants (cattle, sheep, goats, and buffalo). Codex sets maximum residue limits (MRLs) for ractopamine in pigs and cattle. However, the EU has completely banned the use of ractopamine in all food-producing animals since 1996.
“Malaysia’s partial regulation—allowing use in pigs but restricting it elsewhere—places the country in an awkward middle ground that does not reflect the global trend toward precautionary bans,” said Fomca.
“If Malaysia is serious about aligning its food safety policies with international best practices, DVS should move toward a full prohibition of ractopamine in all food-producing animals. This would not only protect consumers, but also improve animal welfare and safeguard the reputation of Malaysia’s agricultural products in global trade.
“A clear policy with a gradual phase-out period would help farmers adapt while ensuring the country does not remain out of step with its trading partners.”
Ractopamine is a feed additive used to promote lean muscle growth in livestock, with Fomca describing the beta-agonist as “highly controversial.”
“More than 160 countries, including the European Union, China, and Russia, have banned ractopamine entirely in pigs, cattle, and other animals, citing both health and animal welfare concerns,” Saravanan said.
“Studies have linked ractopamine residues in food to potential cardiovascular and neurological effects in humans, including increased heart rate and muscle tremors. At the farm level, the substance is known to cause stress and lameness in animals, raising significant ethical questions.”
DVS Enforcement ‘Uneven’, Rising Food Imports, GMO Food, Antimicrobial Resistance, Environmental Issues
Fomca highlighted several “structural challenges” in Malaysia’s food safety and agricultural system beyond poultry chlorine washes and ractopamine, citing the strength and consistency of inspections and surveillance as the one of the most pressing issues.
“While DVS has a regulatory framework in place, enforcement remains uneven, with limited laboratory capacity and inconsistent public disclosure of test results. Building stronger inspection systems, including more trained officers, improved laboratories, and transparent publication of outcomes, would go a long way toward restoring consumer confidence,” said Saravanan.
He also expressed concern with Malaysia’s increased reliance on food imports, especially under recent trade liberalisation agreements that allowed zero tariffs on poultry and livestock products from the United States.
“This creates added pressure on Malaysia’s border controls and inspection regimes,” said Fomca.
“If oversight is not strengthened, there is a risk that products containing residues of chlorine, ractopamine, or other additives not widely accepted in Malaysia could reach consumers unchecked. Robust post-market surveillance and stricter border testing should therefore become central priorities.”
Fomca further called for stricter regulation of genetically modified (GMO) foods, claiming that enforcement is weak and inconsistent compared with stricter models in the EU and Japan, even though GMO labelling is already mandated in Malaysia.
“Consumers deserve clarity and choice, and this can only be achieved through stronger compliance monitoring and proper traceability of GMO products.”
The consumer rights’ group listed antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as another critical issue.
“Overuse of antibiotics in poultry and livestock farming poses a long-term risk not only to animal health, but also to human health through the development of resistant bacteria. Malaysia must expand stewardship programmes, enforce stricter rules on antibiotic use, and encourage farmers to adopt safer alternatives.”
Finally, Fomca highlighted the often overlooked environmental dimension to food safety, noting that large-scale imports and intensive farming practices come with a significant carbon footprint and sustainability concerns.
“Malaysia should integrate environmental standards into its food safety framework, ensuring that both local production and imports meet not only safety but also sustainability requirements,” said Saravanan.
“Equally important is consumer communication. Building trust through the regular publication of inspection results, risk assessments, and food safety alerts would strengthen public awareness and confidence in the system.”
Fomca told Putrajaya to move Malaysia’s food safety system from “minimal compliance” with Codex standards to a “more precautionary, preventive, and transparent approach.”
“On chlorine washes, the country should move toward a phased ban and adopt cleaner alternatives like air chilling. On ractopamine, a full prohibition across all food-producing animals is necessary for health, welfare, and trade alignment.
“And beyond these two issues, systemic improvements in inspections, import controls, GMO regulation, antibiotic stewardship, sustainability, and public communication are crucial if Malaysia wants to ensure safe, ethical, and trustworthy food for its consumers.”
