PENANG is going all out to uphold food hygiene and quality, with attention now accorded to food deliveries through e-hailing services.
State executive councillor Daniel Gooi Zi Sen, who oversees public health, said consumers who have suffered food poisoning from alleged errant food deliveries can now lodge a report with the state health authorities.
The report can be lodged online through the social media pages of the state health services department, and investigations would be carried out under Section 32B of the Food Act 1983, where even a possible closure of the food premise/operator is possible.
Gooi told a media briefing that Penang will not compromise, and penalties from compounds to outright closure can be issued to errant operators and owners.
He also stated that the enforcement action is conducted fairly, targeting all food operators, and if either one is found to be liable, action will be taken without fear or favour.
Penang has made headlines for the wrong reasons over food safety recently, where cafeterias, including those at schools and a private hospital was ordered closed by state health inspectors for alleged poor hygiene.
Among those ordered closed were two outlets belonging to a global fast food giant.
Between January and April of this year, state health authorities inspected 4,069 premises after 241 complaints were lodged, including those against cafeterias in hospitals and pre-schools.
Out of 241 complaints, action was meted against 177 premises or 4.3 per cent of the total number of outlets inspected. - June 17, 2026.
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