PUTRAJAYA: A total of 910 out of 63,784 premises inspected by the Health Ministry from January to June were ordered to close owing to lack of cleanliness.
In a statement on Wednesday (Oct 30), the ministry said a total of 16,415 notices for offences under Section 32B of the Food Act 1983 were issued during that period.
It said 84.7% or 79,818 out of 94,275 food handlers checked nationwide were found to have received typhoid vaccinations.
"Enforcement action has been taken against operators and owners of food premises who failed to meet legal requirements," the statement read, as reported by Bernama.
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The ministry said it took note, and a serious view, of a report in The Star on Oct 27 with the headline "Outcry over food safety".
The report touched on unhygienic practices among food outlets and called for strict measures against operators who failed to meet health standards.
The ministry said possible enforcement action against owners of dirty or unclean food premises includes an order to close the premises for a period not exceeding 14 days under Section 11 of the Food Act.
Those who flout the directive can be prosecuted and, if convicted, may face imprisonment for up to five years, a fine, or both.
The ministry also said that provisions for hygiene at food premises, handling practices involving food and utensils, and transportation are listed in the Food Hygiene Regulations 2009, which has 33 compoundable offences.
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An individual who fails to pay a compound can be prosecuted and, if convicted, fined up to RM10,000 or imprisoned for up to two years.
The ministry reminded all premises owners and food handlers to continue practising good food hygiene and safety practices and to comply with the prescribed legal requirements for public health.
"The public is advised to practise 'Observe and Choose' (by patronising) clean food premises that display the Clean and Safe Recognition (BeSS) logo from the ministry," the statement added.
It said the practice of "look, smell and taste" was the first and easiest step to avoid food poisoning.
Those who plan to upload photographs or videos related to food hygiene and safety on social media should specify the location of the premises in question so that immediate action can be taken by the authorities, the ministry added.
