IPOH: A school canteen operator is expected to be charged over a food poisoning incident involving about 100 pupils.
State Human Resources, Health, National Integration and Indian Community Affairs Committee chairman A. Sivanesan said the decision was made after a meeting with the Sekolah Kebangsaan Chepor school management, the state Education Department and the Perak Health Department.
"During the meeting, we made two decisions. First, we have sufficient evidence to terminate the school canteen operator's tender.
"Secondly, the school canteen operator will be charged under Section 11 of the Food Act 1983. We don't usually take such action, but this is a very serious case.
"This will also serve as a lesson to other food operators," he told reporters today.
Last week, 101 pupils were treated for food poisoning after consuming fried chicken and chocolate drinks at the school canteen.
Perak Health Department director Dr Feisul Idzwan Mustapha said investigations found that the food poisoning was believed to have been caused by chocolate-flavoured drinks and fried chicken prepared in the school canteen's kitchen.
Sivanesan also instructed the school to appoint a teacher to ensure the cleanliness of the canteen.
"The teacher must taste a small portion of the food before it is served to the pupils," he said, adding that the canteen operator had previously been warned twice by the school for poor hygiene.
Sivanesan said stern action would be taken against restaurants or food operators in Perak if they did not comply with food hygiene standards set by the Health Ministry.
"Restaurants that fail to maintain cleanliness will be instructed to close for 14 days. We will not entertain their appeals, as this involves the lives of people."