A medical assistant from MBPJ administering typhoid vaccination to a food handler during a spot check conducted at eateries in Damansara Damai, Petaling Jaya.
FIFTY food handlers in Damansara Damai and Section 17, Petaling Jaya, were warned by Petaling Jaya City Council’s (MBPJ) Health Department for not being vaccinated against typhoid, a serious illness that affects the digestive system.
Without immediate treatment, typhoid can cause fever or lead to severe complications and could even be deadly.
MBPJ’s environmental health officer Marini Mohammad, who headed a team of health inspectors in a spot check on Monday evening in the two areas, found 47 foreign workers and three Malaysians not vaccinated.
Under the Food Handlers Bylaw 1979, typhoid vaccination is compulsory every three years for those handling food.
“Our department will not tolerate such a lackadaisical attitude among food handlers.
“It is a must to be vaccinated against typhoid.
“Food handlers, especially restaurant owners, hawkers, canteen operators, stall owners and their workers who handle food are required to get the typhoid vaccine,” she emphasised.
Marini said that those found not inoculated mostly said they were not aware of the requirement.
“People’s health is at risk. Our department decided to administer the typhoid vaccine immediately for all 50 who had contravened the health regulation.
“We brought along a medical assistant and a nurse from MBPJ’s clinic to administer the vaccine,” she said.
Marini said this new approach was to instil compliance.
“We could issue the RM250 compound for each food handler but our aim is to get them vaccinated and protect people’s health,” she added.
MBPJ charged RM60 for Malaysians and RM80 for foreigners for the vaccination.
Marini was also heard reprimanding eatery owners who had not equipped their food handlers with disposable gloves, aprons and hairnets or caps when preparing food or serving food to customers.
She warned them that they would be ordered to close their premises if the level of hygiene was not satisfactory during the city council’s check next week.
From January to December last year and between January and August this year, there has been no cases of typhoid fever in Petaling Jaya.
Marini said typhoid fever spread when people consumed food or water contaminated by the faeces or urine of an infected person.
“I have also told the outlets to keep their food preparation areas clean and wash table surfaces, utensils and equipment to prevent cross-contamination.
“We have also told the eateries to cook food thoroughly, especially meat,” she said.
She also advised customers to only buy food at eateries that were clean.
