KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 13 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Palm Oil Association (MPOA) has refuted claims that palm oil may contain traces or residues of paraquat.

"Palm oil has been thoroughly tested for traces of paraquat in oil extracted from oil palm treated with paraquat. At the limit of detection of 0.02 mg/kg, no paraquat residues were found in the oil," MPOA chairman Datuk Sabri Ahmad said in a statement here Friday.

He was responding to a recent comment by the Federation of Malaysian Consumers Association's (Fomca) health consultant that paraquat was one of the most hazardous poisons in the world and had no antidote.

The comment which appeared in a leading newspaper claimed that palm oil might carry traces of poison and some European corporations had declared that they would not import the commodity from countries that use paraquat.

Fomca made the comment after the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry decided to temporarily lift a ban on paraquat, effective Nov 1, to allow a comprehensive study on its many uses.

In 2002, the Pesticide Control Division banned the weedkiller for its hazardous effects, especially on farmers.

Sabri said that paraquat residues were never found in palm oil and any misunderstanding of the subject would undermine the good reputation of palm oil and Malaysia's interest as a leading exporter.

The herbicide, he added, was not hazardous if used within the recommended level and had very good safety record.

"MPOA believes in addressing these concerns in a purely scientific and factual manner and urges the public and consumers not to be misled," he added.

-- BERNAMA