IN line with the Food Act 1983 and its regulations, the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH), through the Food Safety and Quality Program (FSQP), will continue monitoring food sold during the Ramadan month to ensure compliance with food safety standards, including those at Ramadan bazaars.
In a statement released today, MOH said the monitoring activities, which began before Ramadan, cover the entire food supply chain, including inspections of raw material sources, food preparation areas, and licensed vendors by local authorities.
Inspections will also extend to hotels offering Ramadan buffets, raw material suppliers, and ice suppliers to ensure all parties involved in food preparation comply with established hygiene and safety standards.
At the same time, MOH will intensify awareness campaigns through health education using various communication platforms, including social media, television, and radio.
The public is advised to prioritise food safety during Ramadan by following these guidelines:
- Practice ‘Look, Smell, Taste’ before eating;
- Store leftover food or food bought for sahur immediately in the refrigerator;
- Reheat food stored for sahur thoroughly before consuming;
- Ensure food stored in the fridge is consumed within 3 days;
- When buying food at Ramadan bazaars, practice ‘Observe and Choose’ by selecting clean stalls and food handlers who follow proper food handling practices.
These food safety tips should be practiced throughout Ramadan to prevent foodborne illnesses that can affect health.
Additionally, food vendors at Ramadan bazaars should pay attention to the following key points to ensure the food sold is clean and safe:
- Do not prepare food too early;
- Transport food in clean vehicles, keeping it separate from non-food chemicals and unrelated items;
- Serve food in clean, covered containers;
- Always use clean tongs, spoons, ladles, or gloves when handling food;
- Avoid serving food in overlapping layers;
- Wear protective clothing such as an apron and head covering that are clean;
- Do not wear jewelry, watches, or other items that could contaminate food;
- Avoid inappropriate practices, such as scratching the head or coughing/sneezing over food;
- Wash hands after using the restroom or handling dirty items;
- Do not sell leftover food the next day.
MOH also emphasised the prohibition of using equipment not intended for food storage or preparation.
Actions such as using aquariums as water containers, black trash bins for storing raw materials, or other inappropriate equipment could cause food contamination and increase health risks, the ministry said.
MOH remains committed to ensuring food safety throughout Ramadan through continuous monitoring and enforcement.
If the public has any concerns about food safety or witnesses any incidents related to food safety, they can contact the nearest District Health Office or State Health Department or visit the Public Complaint Management System (SISPAA) website and the FSQP Facebook page: [http://moh.spab.gov.my](http://moh.spab.gov.my) or [https://www.facebook.com/bkkmofficial](https://www.facebook.com/bkkmofficial). - March 3, 2025
