Make hygienic practices a priority

A worker at a dirty back lane of a restaurant in Kuala Lumpur. Eatery operators need to be aware of the harmful consequences of unhygienic practices — Filepic

I READ with concern the StarMetro report on Feb 26 titled “Filthy eateries with five-star ratings”.

Cleanliness is something that cannot be compromised, more importantly at restaurants, food courts and other eateries.

It is not something just for campaign slogans or for publicity, it must be practised.

Despite awareness on the importance of cleanliness, the fact remains that dirty eateries still exist, whereby some have even gone viral on social media.

In fact, social media today plays an effective role to expose these errant eateries that do not practice good hygiene.

I had on several occasions encountered dirty kitchens and toilets in eateries. It can make one lose their appetite even before a meal.

Does this reflect the poor attitude of the restaurant operators who pay scant regard to licensing rules and regulations?

Are they aware that they are in violation of sanitation and safety regulations under the Food Act 1983?

What’s more disturbing is that many food handlers are not wearing hair nets, gloves and aprons.

Most of the eateries in Malaysia, regardless of whether in urban or rural areas, have various hygiene issues that need to be addressed.

According to media reports, rats and cockroaches have often been found during inspections of unhygienic eateries.

Both customers and food operators must know the importance of hygiene and cleanliness.

Restaurant operators should be more responsible in conducting business and wary of the harmful consequences of not being hygienic. This is all the more critical in the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak.

I don’t think it is more difficult than maintaining the trust of their customers.

Ever so often, we hear and read about eateries ordered to shut down for unhygienic practices.

Customers who come across dirty eateries also have a job to do. They must lodge complaints in the interest of the public.

With the emergence of new contagious diseases and viruses, everyone needs to focus on good hygiene. Health authorities also need to be more proactive and conduct regular spot checks at all eateries.

As customers, we need to make wise choices and decisions before deciding to eat or drink at any of these premises.

Everyone should remember the cardinal rule of practising good hygiene.

If we take this matter lightly, we are only putting ourselves in danger of falling ill not only through food poisoning but through exposure to other life-threatening diseases.

TAN SRI LEE LAM THYE

Chairman, Alliance for Safe Community