KOTA KINABALU: A company was fined RM5,000 by the magistrate's court today for importing semi-dry dates containing insect frass and obtect pupa.
Magistrate Wan Farrah Farizza Wan Ghazali imposed the fine on Syarikat Classic Sales Sdn Bhd after its representative pleaded guilty to the charge.
The company as semi-dry dates grade A importer had contravened Regulation 37 (2) of the Food Regulations 1985 on Feb 14 this year at 12.50pm at the company's warehouse in KKIP, near here.
Regulation 37 (2) states that no person shall keep, carry, spread or use, or cause or permit to be kept, carried, spread or used, any toxic, noxious, or harmful substance so as to expose a food intended for sale to the risk of contamination by that substance at any time in the course of the preparation, manufacture, storage, packaging, carriage, delivery, or exposure for sale, of the food.
The offence falls under Regulation 397(1) of the Food Regulations 1985, punishable under Regulation 397(2) of the same regulation, which provides for a fine of up to RM10,000 or a maximum imprisonment of two years or both, upon conviction.
During mitigation, the company through its counsel Debbie Lim asked for a minimum fine.
Health prosecuting officer Arnila Ahmad, in asking for appropriate punishment, said that consumption of contaminated food could risk the public's health and should not be taken lightly.
He said insect frass can carry various harmful bacteria, pathogens, and pollutants. The presence of obtect pupa or cocoon also indicates the company's weaknesses in managing its quality control.
"People's health and well-being depends on strict compliance with food safety regulations. No due diligence is done to ensure that the product meets the required standards before being introduced to the market.
"The company's negligence could endanger the health of the people," he said.
The company paid the fine.