M'sia Developing Edible Bird's Nest Standards To Ascertain Safe Nitrate Levels

By Norsyafawati Ab Wahab CYBERJAYA, July 20 (Bernama) -- The Department of Standard Malaysia is developing edible bird's nests production standards and test methods to ascertain the safe levels of nitrate content for consumption and to meet stringent export requirements for China's market. Director-general Fadilah Baharin said a comprehensive study was being conducted by the department along with the Ministry of Health and the new standards were expected to be introduced by the end of next year. She said high nitrate content could pose serious health risks such as cancer and China had banned the import of unprocessed swiftlet nests from Malaysia before for allegedly having high nitrate content. However, the export of bird's nests in processed forms or ready-to-eat jelly or drinks (in bottles) is not affected, she told Bernama. Currently only 50 per cent of swiftlet farming companies were able to export bird's nests to China, she said, adding that, "With the introduction of the standards, we expect up to 90 per cent of the companies could export their products." Meanwhile, Fadilah said the standards swiftlet farming initiated by Standards Malaysia since 2010 were the first of its kind in the world. She said the department would also be introducing another new standard, the MS2612:2015 Raw-Unclean Edible Birdnest (EBN) - House Nest - Specification which would be launched by Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Dr. Ewon Ebin in September. Fadilah said the development of standards of raw bird's nests for authentication, quality, grading, packaging and labeling started three years ago. "The standards, which meet the international standards, certainly help unprocessed bird's nest products to be graded systematically to facilitate export to the international market," she added. She said besides China, the local swiftlet nest industry also targeted new markets, including Hong Kong, Japan and Italy to capitalise on rising demand. -- BERNAMA