Monday, March 06, 2006

Dirty canteen partially shut

Star: SUNGAI PETANI: A premier primary school here was ordered to partially shut down its canteen for two weeks for flouting the Health Ministry's cleanliness guidelines.
The Kuala Muda district health office issued the order after officers made a surprise check yesterday and found that the refrigerator was not working properly, the eggs in the fridge were unwashed and the vegetables stale.
Under the order, the canteen operator was not allowed to cook at the premises but could sell food that was cooked elsewhere.
The shutdown, which took effect yesterday, was carried out under Section 11 of the Food Act 1983.
Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad said cooking would not be allowed at the canteen until the operator complied with the cleanliness guidelines.
He said this was in line with the ministry’s emphasis on food handlers to observe hygiene and cleanliness at all times.
“In this case, it’s even worse as the food handler is serving food to children who are more susceptible to infection,” he said.
Dr Abdul Latiff also said district health offices in all states had been asked to continuously monitor the cleanliness at eateries, including school canteens.
The health officers made the surprise check at the canteen shortly after the school was opened at 7.30am yesterday.
This was following a report in The Star on Saturday which highlighted complaints from parents about poor hygiene at the canteen.
Checks at the canteen showed the outlet pipe of the wash basin was damaged, causing dirty water to splash down, drains clogged with leftover food emitting a foul smell and dirty tables.

No comments: