Malaysia Bans Thailand Oranges

The ban was because the oranges from Thailand were found to contain Ethion, a highly toxic pesticide which is banned in Malaysia, due to its effects upon health.

Malaysia Health Ministry's assistant director of the International Safety Division, Dr Mahyin Abdul Halim, said that tests conducted showed that the oranges from Thailand contained the highly toxic pesticide Ethion.

At least 50 consignments of oranges which entered Malaysia in 2008 contained the banned pesticide, he said, after a border co-operation agencies' meeting on sharing information between Malaysian and Thai departments was held in Sungai Golok.

Ethion (C9H22O4P2S4) is an organophosphate insecticide used to kill mites, maggots, leafhoppers and other insects, and is banned in Malaysia.