KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 910 food premises were ordered to close due to unsanitary conditions from January to June this year, the Health Ministry said.
In a statement today, the ministry said this followed inspections conducted on 63,784 food premises nationwide, during which a total of 16,415 notices of violation were issued under Section 32B of the Food Act 1983.
The ministry said out of 94,275 food operators examined, 79,818, or 84.7 per cent, had received typhoid vaccinations.
The ministry said through its Food Safety and Quality Programme, enforcement actions can be taken against owners of unsanitary food premises including an order to close the premises for a period not exceeding 14 days under Section 11 of the Food Act 1983.
Individuals who refuse to comply with this order may be prosecuted, and if convicted, could face imprisonment for up to five years, a fine, or both.
In addition, the provisions for cleanliness features of food premises, utensils, handling practices by food operators are clearly outlined under the Food Hygiene Regulations 2009, which include 33 offenses that can be compounded.
Any individual who fails to pay the compounded fines may be prosecuted in court, and if convicted, could face a fine of up to RM10,000 or imprisonment for up to two years.
Under Regulation 30 of the Food Hygiene Regulation, food premises owners are responsible for ensuring that food handlers undergo a Food Handler Course at the Food Handler Training School (SLPM) recognised by the ministry.
The Food Handler Course is conducted based on standard teaching modules set by the ministry, covering five key components, including food and operator hygiene, food safety and quality, as well as critical factors related to food poisoning.
"The training provides essential knowledge and basic training to food operators in the simplest form for practical application in the field."
The ministry said all premise owners and food operators in the country should consistently practice good food hygiene and safety measures and comply with the established legal requirements for the health and well-being of the public.
"The public is also advised to adopt the 'Perhati dan Pilih (observe and choose)' approach when selecting clean food premises that display the Clean and Safe (BeSS) logo from the ministry, as well as to practice 'Lihat Hidu Rasa (look, smell, taste' which are simple initial steps to avoid food poisoning."
The ministry said if the public wishes to upload any photos or videos related to food hygiene and safety issues on social media, they are advised to specify the location of the concerned food premises so that immediate action can be taken by the authorities.
"The public can channel their concerns regarding food safety issues or witness any food safety incidents to the nearest district health office or state health department.
"They can also lodge complaints via the Public Complaints Management System (SISPAA) website, as well as the ministry's Food Safety and Quality Programme Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/bkkmhq."