Malaysia is testing all American peanut butter products before allowing them into the country following a salmonella scare in the United States, the Star Daily reported Sunday.
Hundreds of people have fallen ill in the United States, and a chain of cookie shops has recalled of one of its products here fearing it could be contaminated.
"(We) raised the alert to level five at all ports to ensure that the incoming batches were free from salmonella contamination," Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai told the paper.
"It's very specific. We are focusing on one product -- peanut butter."
Health officials told the paper the level five alert meant all US peanut butter products entering the country would be tested to determine whether they are safe for consumption.
Last Thursday, the health ministry announced it was investigating the Famous Amos cookie chain after it withdrew dough from several of its outlets.
Company representatives say they do not have any peanut butter in their cookies here and all their products are safe for consumption.
The salmonella bacterium is spread most often by the consumption of food contaminated by animal faecal matter, according to health experts.
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