Malaysian firm suspected of processing plastic into fish feed

MALAYSIA – Malaysian law enforcement agencies have recently uncovered an illegal plastic recycling factory suspected of packing secondary plastic products into bags labeled as fish feed. 

This alarming discovery has prompted the Department of Fisheries to advise aquaculture farmers to exercise caution and ensure their fish feed products come from legitimate sources with recognized certifications.

Authorities seized 100 tonnes of plastic pellets during a raid by the Department of Environment in Kuala Muda, Kedah. 

These pellets had been processed and packaged in plastic bags labeled as freshwater fish feed, raising significant concerns about the quality and safety of fish feed available in the Malaysian market. This market has long struggled with the issue of counterfeit feed.

The packaging used for these plastic pellets closely resembled those of PSJ Feed Sdn Bhd, a prominent fish feed manufacturer. This similarity confused farmers, who mistakenly believed the plastic pellets were genuine fish feed. 

In response, the Malaysian Department of Fisheries issued a statement clarifying that the plastic pellets were never intended for use as fish feed and emphasized that the recycling plant had no connection to PSJ Feed Sdn Bhd, a legitimate fish feed factory operating in Penang since 2022.

The authorities have promised to sample and verify the fish feed composition from PSJ Feed Sdn Bhd’s factory to ensure it contains no plastic.

While initial fears that plastic products were being sold as fish feed have not been substantiated, the incident highlights the need for tighter controls on the Malaysian feed market.

In response to the incident, the Department of Fisheries announced its collaboration with the Department of Veterinary Services and related agencies to enhance the supervision of animal feed manufacturing operations. 

This collaboration ensures that no harmful substances are used in fish feed production. Although the agency has not provided further details, there is hope among market players that authorities will crack down on illegal manufacturers still present in the supply chain.

The Department of Fisheries advises aquaculture farmers to be vigilant and ensure their fish feed products come from legitimate sources with recognized certifications. 

The agency also reassured the public that it consistently enforces and monitors compliance with safety and quality standards under the Animal Feeds Act 2009.

This incident underscores the importance of stringent regulatory oversight in maintaining the integrity of the aquaculture supply chain and protecting the health of both fish and consumers.

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