Dungun: An analysis of samples from cockles washed ashore at Pantai Sura in Dungun has shown that the levels of Faecal Coliform bacteria and Escherichia coli (E. coli) exceed the set standards.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Terengganu State Fisheries Department director Ruzaidi Mamat stated that the analysis by the Kuantan Fisheries Biosecurity Laboratory in Pahang revealed that cockle samples collected last Wednesday had faecal coliform levels exceeding 300 MPN/100g and E. coli levels surpassing 230 MPN/100g.

He noted that analyses of washed-up cockles in 2014, 2016, 2019, 2021, and the recent one in 2025 consistently show that faecal coliform and E. coli levels in the samples exceed the set standards. These cockles are categorized as Class B and C under the National Shellfish Sanitation Programme (NSSP) standards and must be fully cooked before consumption.

Ruzaidi advised the public to ensure that any cockle they collected was properly cooked before consumption to reduce the risk of bacterial contamination. He emphasized that consuming raw cockles should be avoided, particularly for individuals with weakened immune systems, and urged the public to practice proper hygiene when handling seafood to ensure food safety.

He highlighted that these precautionary steps are vital to ensuring food safety and protecting consumers’ health. The Terengganu Fisheries Department will continue to conduct regular monitoring of seafood safety and provide the latest information to the public.

In an earlier statement, Ruzaidi confirmed that no plankton-producing biotoxins were detected in the water samples collected from Pantai Sura on the same day.