Materia Medica Malaysiana

Jail for unhygienic food handlers

SEPANG, Sept 9: The 2.2 million food operators in the country must abide by cleanliness rules or face closure when the amended Food Hygiene Regulation comes into force at the end of the year.


They also face a RM10,000 fine or two years jail if convicted in court.

Health Minister Datuk Chua Jui Meng said the amendment would make it compulsory for all food handlers and operators — from five-star hotels, restaurants, stalls to mobile hawkers — to be registered with the ministry.

They must also attend a one-day course on hygiene and cleanliness, he said after presenting an A-grade award to Projek Lebuhraya UtaraSelatan Berhad (PLUS) for overall cleanliness in food preparation and handling practised by food operators at all PLUS rest and service areas here today.

"When the amended regulation is implemented, food handlers will have to follow specific guidelines on per-sonal and environmental hygiene to ensure the food is safe for consumption." All State and district health departments will conduct regular inspections to ensure compliance.

Chua said the ministry was concerned about food safety and cleanliness as it did not want people to come down with food poisoning or die of it.

In 1999, there were 8,640 cases of food poisoning with three deaths. There were 4,733 cases with no deaths last year due to strict enforcement by the authorities.

Chua said the number of people suffering from typhoid and cholera also fell from 1,304 cases with 19 deaths in 1998 to 365 cases and seven deaths last year.

In 2001, 54,042 premises were issued with temporary closure orders and last year, 63,354.

Only 150,000 food handlers attended the one-day hygiene course, although the ministry had emphasised the importance of attending it before handing issuing business licences.

"Now we will make it compulsory. If they do not fulfil our criteria, the licence will not be issued." The ministry was also taking into account the Code of Practice for Food Hygiene under the "Codex Alimentarius" when amending the regulation which will be submitted to the Cabinet soon and gazetted by yearend.

Chua commended PLUS for taking proactive measures in ensuring that all its 128 food stalls, 103 drink stalls and 22 restaurants along the NorthSouth Expressway adhered to high standard of food safety and cleanliness.

PLUS executive vice-chairman Abdul Wahid Omar said the award would enhance PLUS's reputation as one of the leading highway operators not only in Malaysia but also the world.

"Highway users can be rest assured of the high level of hygiene and cleanliness practised by the food and beverage operators at our rest and service areas." Wahid said 1,699 stall operators from the North-South Expressway attended the Food Preparation and Safety Courses at approved institutions under the Health Ministry between September last year and July this year.