The Star Online reports that there had been claims that consumers were being duped into believing that the plucked yellow chickens are of the kampung variety when they are actually farm-bred.

Two samples of full chicken from the Section 17 and SS2 morning markets here were sent by The Star for testing at Chemical Laboratories (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd on Tuesday but no traces of aniline – usually used to colour leather and woodworks – was found.

However, this is not necessarily an indication that the birds are indeed kampung chicken. Some other dye could have been used.

Health officers from the Petaling district visited the two markets and another at Taman Megah to take ten samples for testing at the Health Ministry’s food safety and quality laboratory in Klang.

Selangor health director Datuk Dr Azman Abu Bakar said two tests would now be carried out.

“The first test will be to detect if aniline, which is a forbidden colouring substance, is used. The second test will be to identify if the permissible Sunset Yellow FCF was used,” he said.

(Sunset Yellow is an artificial colouring used in various food items, drinks, snacks, ice-cream and over-the-counter medicine).

Dr Azman said the results will be out tomorrow (27 September).

In an earlier report, Fomca secretary-general Datuk Paul Selva Raj had urged the Health Ministry to investigate the claims as well as monitor the situation.