The Consumers Association of Penang has urged the Malaysian authorities to ban immediately all beef and beef related products into the country to protect consumers from the "Mad Cow Disease", or Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy.

CAP president SM Mohamed Idris today said that although the cabinet has recently imposed a ban on the import of all beef products from the European Union, there is no guarantee that the infection cannot come from other sources.

"Looking at the current situation, it is virtually impossible to ascertain and monitor the origin of every bit of meat that is produced and imported," he said.

"This is because other countries that have imported cattle, meat and bone meal from Western Europe since 1980 are also considered at risk from the disease," he added.

The UN stated that the Middle East, Eastern Europe, North Africa and India have the highest risk among countries outside Western Europe of harbouring the "Mad Cow Disease", Mohamed Idris revealed, adding that scientists also noted that Indonesia, Thailand, Taiwan and Sri Lanka may become the next victims after purchasing potentially infected animal feed from Britain at the height of the UK epidemic.

Directive

"We are very concerned following the UN's warning to act immediately to reduce the risk of the disease which is now widespread in the European Union states," he said.

Mohamed Idris added that local authorities should also inform the public on whether it is safe to consume meat and meet products such as burgers.

He reiterated that this was urgent as beef and other meats are traded in various forms like burgers, sausages and corned beef and Malaysia imports these products from other countries outside the European union.

"Please refrain from eating such foods until the authorities issue a clear directive," advised Mohamed Idris.