More clout for health inspectors

Star HEALTH inspectors can now issue summonses directly to errant food operators, vendors and sellers and need not go through the Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP).
This has been made possible with the passing of the Food (Amendment) Bill 2005 yesterday.
Health Ministry parliamentary secretary Datuk Lee Kah Choon said that previously all summonses issued had to go through the DPP.
Fong Po Kuan (DAP – Batu Gajah) expressed concern that poor vegetable and meat sellers would be in a fix if summonses were issued on the spot as they would not be able to contest the decision by getting a chemist to test the substance.
Lee said that was not the case as a notice would first be issued to the errant party and a summons would only be issued after a chemist had tested the food substance.
When opposition MPs stood up to talk about the failure of the Tak Nak! campaign, Lee said: “I also see opposition MPs smoking. They too should set an example. The burden is not the Government's alone.”