MELAKA: Eateries at four- and three-star hotels in the historic city were among 49 food premises that were ordered to close due to unsanitary conditions from the beginning of January to Nov 23 of this year, says the Melaka Health Department.
State Health director Dr Ruzita Mustaffa said stern action was taken against these eateries after rat droppings, cockroaches were found on the premises, and they also failed to comply with the set standards of cleanliness.
"The lack of supervision by the hotel management on their kitchen staff had led to a lackadaisical approach to maintaining high levels of hygiene," she said after the handing over ceremony of the Clean and Safe (BeSS) logo to stall owners at a food court in Kampung Hulu here on Thursday (Dec 5).
Dr Ruzita said enforcement action can be taken against owners of unsanitary food premises including an order to close the premises for a period not exceeding 14 days under Section 11 of the Food Act 1983.
She also noted that four school canteens in all three districts were also ordered to close during the same period and the Melaka Education Department was updated on the action against these operators.
Dr Ruzita said a total of 5,481 food premises were checked from January to Nov 23 of this year, with 1,933 compound notices amounting to RM320,900 were issued under the Food Hygiene Regulations 2009 where the provision clearly outlines cleanliness features of food premises, utensils, and handling practices by food operators
She emphasised that food operators in the state should consistently practice good food hygiene and safety measures and comply with the established legal requirements for the health and well-being of their patrons.
Dr Ruzita added that there were 20 episodes of food poisoning cases that were registered in the state mostly involving schoolchildren, factory workers and illegal immigrants at a detention depot here.
On the BeSS, she said 25 food premises managed to obtain the certification on Thursday (Dec 5) while 72 premises, including 22 school canteens, were also awarded the logo for the first 11 months of this year.
"The public is also advised to adopt the 'Lihat Hidu Rasa' (look, smell, taste) approach, which are simple initial steps to avoid food poisoning," she said.
