AMPANG Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) is set to charge food outlets for hygiene grading stickers and mandatory re-inspections.
These new fees will apply to operators renewing their 2026 business licences, a process which started Oct 1.
The local council’s decision has drawn mixed reaction from local proprietors, with some in favour, while others are concerned over the additional financial burden.
MPAJ in a media statement said hawker stalls would be charged RM50, while restaurants would need to pay RM100 for their grading stickers each year.
For food processing factories, the fee will be RM150.
“A RM55 fee will also be imposed for re-inspection of Grade C and ungraded premises.
“This is to encourage food operators to take greater responsibility in maintaining cleanliness and proper food handling practices,” it said.
MPAJ said there were currently 1,016 licensed food premises under its jurisdiction, including restaurants, food courts, static stalls and factories.
CK Ong, a cafe operator in Pandan Perdana, said the fee was reasonable if it helped uphold hygiene standards across all eateries.
“Cleanliness is important for customer trust.
“The sticker shows we have passed inspection.”
He said the move could also motivate operators to maintain cleanliness throughout the year rather than only before inspections.
Ong added that he upgraded his cafe’s toilets earlier this year to meet Housing and Local Government Ministry’s “clean toilets” directive.
Other entrepreneurs, however, especially those operating stalls, feel the new MPAJ charges add to their financial burden.
“We already pay various fees for licensing and rental.
“Another charge just makes it harder,” said a hawker.
Several other hawkers StarMetro spoke to said they were unaware of the charges as they had yet to renew their business licence.
