The Quaker Oatmeal sold in Malaysia is safe for consumption as it does not contain glyphosate, Health Ministry director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said.

Glyphosate is a type of weed killer.

“The Health Ministry is aware of the matter which has gone viral on Fox News, New York Post and various social media recently,” he said in a press statement today.

“In this matter, the ministry had monitored and tested the product sold locally and found no traces of Glyphosate,” he added.

Dr Noor Hisham said the permitted amount of glyphosate residue in cereals including oats was 30mg/kg according Section 41(3) of the Food Security Act 1987.

He urged those with queries or complaints on food safety to contact state Health departments, offices or its website http://moh.spab.gov.my and its Facebook page.

Several media reported that a consumer from Brooklyn, America had filed a law suit on the company for using glyphosate, alleging that the substance is sprayed on the oats as a drying agent shortly before harvest.

On Thursday, Taiwan's Food and Drug Administration recalled ten oatmeal products, including four Quaker brand products imported from the US after they were found to contain glyphosate.