GEORGE TOWN – A noodle-processing factory and a soy sauce factory have been ordered to close for two weeks due to the dirty conditions, including the presence of rat droppings in food processing and storage areas.
Penang Health Department Food Safety and Quality Division environmental health officer Mohd Wazir Khalid said that the Ops Tegar 2 raids at the two premises found that the level of cleanliness did not meet the set standards.
“The two factories, located at Jalan Perak and Batu Lanchang, were also issued three compounds each, worth almost RM12,000.
“We also issued these factories closure notice orders under Section 11 of the Food Act 1983 effective today until April 16,” he told reporters after the operation today.
He said the inspection at the soybean-based product processing factory in Batu Lanchang found rat droppings and cockroaches.
The premises, which had been operating for the past 10 years, were found to have neglected hygiene by placing barrels containing soybeans in the toilet area of the factory.
Wazir said that his team had raided the factory two years ago, with the owner issued compounds for similar offences, including being ordered to close for 14 days because the premises were filthy.
“Our inspection also found rats roaming in the factory and animal droppings everywhere with cockroach nests also found in the soybean storage area,” he said.
Three male workers, including two foreign workers, were present during the raid.
Meanwhile, he said the inspection at a noodle processing factory found that it was filthy, with even the equipment used covered in dust.
Wazir said equipment in the factory was also covered with slime, and he believed that it had never been washed apart from the slippery floor. – Bernama, April 2, 2022
