MALAYSIANS were aghast with the recent news that two children in Kedah had died after eating keropok which had been laced with rat poison.
About a month ago, a Form Five student and a two-year-old girl died due to poisoning in a religious school in Gombak.
After more than a month the matter is still being probed.
It was reported that in 2022, there were some 14,000 reported cases of food poisoning caused by food and water borne diseases.
Was this just the tip of the iceberg?
These are cases that can continue to happen.
Many of these cases should have and could have been avoided if the proper precautions had been taken by all those responsible for ensuring food safety.
It is time for us to review, and revise issues relating to food safety, food handling and dietary habits.
The health authorities must buck up.
Health inspectors must be more proactive and responsive, especially in schools, with more and regular inspections of the canteens to ensure there is compliance with the regulations.
The government should also relook the Food Act of 1983 to see if there are loopholes or weaknesses that have to be addressed.
Food poisoning is often symptomatic of a deeper problem of scant regard for human lives by those who are in pursuit of quick profit.
Some retailers and food outlets take short cuts and ignore safety rules that later result in patrons falling sick or worse.
Food contamination can result in foodborne illnesses, food poisoning and other long-term health issues.
Some common risks include bacterial contamination like salmonella, e-coli, and physical contamination from glass and metal products and utensils.
One should only buy food items from known and reputable sellers, markets and stores.
Fresh produce and meat products must only be sourced from trusted suppliers to reduce the risk of contamination.
Food should be properly refrigerated at safe temperatures.
And another thing that most of us fail to do is to regularly check the expiration dates on food products before purchasing or consuming them. And if they are found to be past the sell-by date, such cases should be reported to the store management immediately.
By always being proactive, practising good food safety habits and staying informed about food safety practices, we can reduce the risk associated with tainted foods and protect ourselves and our families from potential health hazards.
Safe food today is a key to a healthier nation tomorrow.
TAN SRI LEE LAM THYE
Chairman
Alliance For Safe Community
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times