KUALA LUMPUR – A dirty mee tonggek stall in a Ramadan bazaar has been ordered to close by the Health Ministry, following viral complaints about worms in the food.
The ministry’s Food Safety and Quality Division said the stall owner had been compounded after one worker did not take the required anti-typhoid jab.
In its investigation, three samples were taken from the stall to analyse microorganisms and foreign matter, said Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah in a statement today.
He added that the trader needs to take steps to improve cleanliness and food safety before being allowed to operate again.
The division also found that the trader has premises in Cyberjaya where raw food items are stored and cooked before being taken to the bazaar.
He said the ministry will continue its inspection on the premises to get a clearer picture on food handling.
Meanwhile, the ministry has opened an investigation into a kuih limas producer for prosecution purposes after public complaints about hair clumps in the product.
Noor Hisham said a total of 4,362 Ramadan bazaar premises have been inspected and 77 compounds totalling RM38,500 issued while 178 food samples were collected for analysis.
Under the Food Act 1983, offenders are liable to compounds not more than RM100,000 or a jail term up to 10 years, or both.
The public is advised to get in touch with their district or state health departments, through the ministry’s Public Complaints Management System, or the division’s Facebook page to voice concerns. – The Vibes, April 16, 2022
