Deep clean: Staff carrying out cleaning work at the New World Park food court in Burma Road, Penang. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star
GEORGE TOWN: Just three “bad apples” in a popular food court here caused health inspectors to issue a closure notice on all 50 food stalls.
The inspectors found cockroaches scampering about in food storage shelves in three stalls, food handlers using dirty towels and workers without typhoid vaccination, among other health regulation violations.
After a check on Tuesday, the state Health Department issued a closure notice until the entire food court was cleaned up.
A senior food court management official said the company was now thoroughly cleaning the premises “up to the gutters.”
“If the department approves, we can reopen on Friday. We carry out daily cleaning and bi-weekly pest control, so it was unfortunate that there were cockroaches in the gutters behind the stalls.
“Only three stalls did not pass the cleanliness test but as all of us fall under a single licence, the food court had to close,” he said.
A check yesterday showed all stall operators were busy conducting cleaning operations.
The management official said cracks within the hidden gutters may have become hiding places for cockroaches to multiply.
“We will comply with all regulations and work towards improvement,” he said, assuring that the drains in the food court would be checked and fumigated weekly.
The state Health Department issued a close down notice under Section 11 of the Food Act 1983 for various violations.
Northeast District Health Office Food Safety and Quality operations officer Muhammad Firdaus Abdul Halim said 21 notices were also issued to stall operators there for various violations.
“These included handlers not having typhoid vaccinations and training, as well as the storage of expired and unsanitary food items. Some stalls were also found with blackened cooking equipment,” he said, adding that RM6,900 in fines were imposed.
