A recent surge in cases of unregistered rat poison has raised serious concerns about the safety of young children, according to the National Poison Centre (NPC). Between 2023 and 2025, the NPC's Drug and Poison Information Service UF14 pharmacist, Asdariah Misnan, reported that over 40% of rat poison cases involved illegal or unregistered products. This alarming trend highlights a critical public health issue, especially for children. In 2023, 42 out of 94 cases involved illegal products, rising to 61 out of 143 in 2024 and 51 out of 118 in 2025. The situation worsened in the last quarter of 2025, with 35 cases reported, 18 of which (51.4%) involved illegal or unregistered products. Asdariah emphasizes that this poses a significant threat to public health, particularly among children aged one to four, who account for 60-70% of reported cases. The NPC identified several unregistered brands, including Smell to Death, Morat, Mao Wang, Hai Zhen Wei, Super Rat Killer, Victory, RTV Rat Poison, and Tomrat, as well as products labeled in Chinese without valid registration numbers. These products are often purchased online via e-commerce platforms or obtained from unlicensed traders at night markets. Laboratory analysis revealed serious irregularities, with some products containing higher concentrations of active ingredients than stated on the label. This increases the risk of poisoning, even in small amounts. Even more concerning are instances where laboratory tests detected active ingredients different from those declared on product labels or websites, often more toxic or banned substances like Tetramethylenedisulfotetramine (TETS), Sodium monofluoroacetate (SMFA), Fluoroacetamide, and Fluoroacetic acid. These substances can cause recurrent seizures and death in very small quantities and have been banned in most countries. The NPC highlights a tragic incident in Kulim, Kedah, where two children died after consuming unregistered rat poison placed on crackers. This incident underscores the urgency of addressing the issue. The NPC urges government agencies to take immediate action to stop the sale of unregistered rat poison and calls for stricter enforcement and controls. E-commerce platform operators must ensure that only licensed sellers list registered pesticide products, with valid registration numbers clearly displayed. As consumers, we have a responsibility to ensure that any pesticide purchased is registered and properly labeled. The NPC emphasizes that every case of poisoning caused by illegal rat poison is preventable through effective product control, responsible sales practices, and vigilant consumers.
