ENVIRONMENTAL health inspectors from the Petaling Jaya City Council’s (MBPJ) Health Department shut down three unlicensed chicken slaughterhouses at Ara Damansara PJU 1, as they were found to be operating in unhygienic conditions that could cause contamination of meat.
Environmental health officer Marini Mohammad said all three slaughterhouses were unlicensed and their processing methods could contaminate the meat as the slaughtered carcasses, covered in blood, were placed on bloodied floors and even just outside the toilets.
“On seeing the repulsive situation, we had no choice but to order an immediate shutdown as all three outlets were illegally operated and the contaminated meat could end up at wet markets and restaurants in Petaling Jaya,” she said.
In a four-hour spot operation that started at 2am earlier Thursday (July 21), Marini led a team of three health inspectors, one general health assistant and three representatives from the council’s enforcement department.
Marini added that two restaurants in Ara Damansara PJU 1 were also ordered shut as the kitchen areas were dirty and unhygienic.
During the checks, health inspectors found the internal scupper drains were blocked and the walls and flooring dirty.
“Our men closed all five premises under the MBPJ Food Establishment By-laws 2007. Eight compound notices were also issued with a total fine of RM4,250 for various penalties,” she said.
