GEORGE TOWN: A mini market selling a host of Bangladeshi products, along Jalan Magazine here was found to be a breeding ground for rats.
During checks at the premises this morning, health officials found a rat running inside a faulty fridge used to keep frozen fishes.
Several other rats were also seen running around the premises, with rat droppings spotted on the floor. Carcasses of rats were also found on the rack and floor.
There were also several live chickens at the back of the premises, suggesting slaughtering activities taking place there.
Plates of cut meat were also left exposed.
Penang Health Department environmental health, food safety and quality officer Mohd Wazir Khalid said the mini market was managed by a Bangladeshi national for the past few years although the licence was issued in the name of a local owner.
"During checks at the premises, the owner was not around and the business was managed by his worker, a Bangladeshi.
"The premises is filthy and fails to abide by the cleanliness standard set. To compound matters, rats are found in several parts," he told reporters during the inspections.
Wazir said they also found that live chickens were being slaughtered inside the premises, clearly against the permit issued.
He said several food stuff from Bangladesh were also on sale, with no labelling in English or Malay.
"We have issued two compounds totalling RM3,500 under the provisions of the law," he added.
Meanwhile, Penang Island City Council environment health licensing officer M. Bawani said they had conducted checks at the premises since 2017 but the owner still committed the same offences, by allowing foreigners to manage the business.
"This time around, we ordered the premises to be closed for 14 days to enable the operator to carry out thorough cleaning," she added.
Meanwhile, health officials also conducted checks on two premises producing fucuk (thin dried tofu sheets) at Solok Lembah Permai in Tanjung Bungah here.
Both premises, which were found to be operating within residential area and without licence by the local council for more than five decades, were also slapped with compounds amounting to RM7,500.
City council health inspector N. Yogeinthiran said the premises were slapped with monthly RM250 compound for operating without licence.
"We will refer this matter to the city council for the necessary actions to be taken," he added.