Ling (back row, second from left) with recipients of the BeSS award.
OVER 500 food operators in Johor received special recognition from Health Ministry for having clean and safe premises.
Johor health and environment committee chairman Ling Tian Soon said the recognition under its Bersih, Selamat dan Sihat (BeSS) or “Clean, Safe and Healthy” initiative was part of an ongoing effort to encourage food operators and handlers to take food safety issues seriously.
“A total of 568 food premises have received the BeSS recognition in Johor.
“More than half are from the private sector, while 16% are food premises at government buildings,” said the state executive councillor.
“Others include eateries at rest and recreation (R&R) area, institutions and those operating on premises in the tourism and public transport sectors,” he said during his speech at the launch of Apron Walk in conjunction with World Food Safety Day.
Ling said about 82% of businesses that received the recognition were restaurants, food courts and cafeterias.
“The remaining 18% comprised 9% institutions and 9% food trucks,” he said.
He urged more food businesses to work towards gaining the BeSS recognition.
Ling said BeSS was also aimed at helping food operators and handlers better understand and abide by government regulations related to food safety and hygiene.
“This is also an opportunity for food operators and handlers to learn and gain technical insight about food safety, for free,” he said.
During the event, Ling presented BeSS certificates to four food trucks and two restaurant operators.
The BeSS recognition is awarded to food businesses that fulfil four main criteria.
The criteria are keeping their premises clean, providing safe food, providing healthy food and serving food in proper portions according to individual needs.
The recognition is valid for three years and each food business will be reviewed after it expires.
