GEORGE TOWN: A famous nasi kandar restaurant at Jalan Gurdwara here was today given two compounds notices.
In a four-hour operation by the Penang Island City Council (MBPP), three other premises were also ordered to close for 14 days after rat and cockroach droppings, as well as rat carcasses, were found inside their premises.
MBPP environment health licensing officer M. Bawani said the compounds against the nasi kandar restaurant were for cross-contamination, unsanitary placement of raw cooking items on the floor and for not providing workers with anti-typhoid jabs.
She said the three premises that were ordered closure included a restaurant inside a hostel at Jalan Macalister, a sundry shop operating as an eatery and a coffeeshop at Jalan Gurdwara.
“In the sundry shop, we even found rat carcasses inside a cupboard. The owner did not seem to think there was anything wrong with it.
“This is a serious cleanliness issue, which we can’t condone as it involves food safety,” she said after the operation.
Bawani said that the action to temporarily shut down the premises was in line with MBPP’s Section 38 (1) of the Food Establishment Act Bylaws 1991.
The outlets issued with the shutdown order must cease operations for at least three days to allow cleaning works.
Subsequently, the MBPP will conduct follow-up inspection after being informed by the premises owners.
Meanwhile, Bawani said since the operation began last November, they had checked 28 premises, out of which 21 were ordered closure.
They had also issued some RM2,500 worth of compounds.
“We will continue with this operation to ensure all eateries practice the highest level of hygiene at all times.
“While we have seen positive changes, but there is still much room for improvement,” she said.