RM164,000 compounds issued

PETALING JAYA: A total of 1,639 compounds worth almost RM164,000 were issued for various offences during checks at Ramadan bazaars carried out by officers from the state Health Department.

The compounds, said the Health Ministry, were issued to owners, representatives and food operators at the bazaars under Section 32B of the Food Act.

“The offences include failure to undergo food handler training, absence of typhoid vaccination, and non-adherence to food handler attire under the Food Hygiene Regulations 2009,” it said.

The Health Ministry said as of April 5, it had received 29 complaints, out of which nine were still in the investigation process while the rest had been resolved.

The cleanliness and food safety operation started on March 12 and also involved the inspection of food premises such as restaurants, food outlets and stalls, as well as food sampling.

“Inspections were carried out at 1,299 bazaars nationwide, with checks at 43,304 premises from March 12 to April 5. Three eateries were ordered closed,” it said in a statement yesterday.