GEORGE TOWN – Penang’s reputation as a street food haven may go down the drain if there is a persistent neglect of food hygiene among outlet operators and hawkers, legislators and NGOs concerned with public health warned.
All it takes is for a food-borne disease such as cholera to emerge and the state’s reputation for high food safety and quality to be in tatters.
Referring to the latest episode where three restaurants in Balik Pulau were ordered to close by the Penang Island City Council yesterday after rat droppings were found at their premises, two state reps called for stricter and consistent enforcement.
Seri Delima assemblywoman Syerleena Abdul Rashid said that the state’s city councils should be stricter about enforcement to ensure that eateries follow the best hygiene practices.
This is also applicable to street hawkers.
“Penang is known for being one of the region’s best food havens. It is important to keep up the standards.
“Honestly, the councils should do frequent spot checks rather than have health inspectors visit pre-announced,” Syerleena said.
A hefty fine, in addition to more than two weeks’ closure of the premises, would send a clear message.
If the restaurant is a repeat offender, then fines should increase, and closure should be for an entire month, said Syerleena.
“It may be extreme for some folks, but we need to take care of our food.
“So many people come to Penang to enjoy our food, and that is why we need to protect our assets,” she said.
Pulau Tikus assemblyman Chris Lee Chun Kit said that repeat offenders need to be fined more so that they would immediately stop operating filthy premises.
Lee urged local authorities to conduct enforcement exercises frequently and to encourage customers to also lodge reports of unhygienic practices.
The Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) is of the view that the Food Act 1983 by-law should be amended, as Section 11 of the Act does not serve as a deterrent.
It provides for closure of not exceeding fourteen days of any premises preparing or selling food under unhygienic conditions, and also imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or to fine or to both.
Current laws on the matter are simply lenient, which is why operators continue to ignore cleanliness, CAP said.
Penang Medical Practitioners’ Society president Datuk Dr Tan Kah Keong said that enforcement is not regarded as effective, particularly against the hawkers.
“What is needed is educational efforts to ensure that the hawkers value the importance of strong hygiene practices when plying their trade,” he said when contacted.
Tan said that in the past, the councils would act based on complaints, but poor hygiene is recurrent, so it is best to inculcate good habits rather than punitive measures.
Tan also urged for a form of an incentive system to be established to reward eateries and hawkers who practise strong hygiene when preparing and dispensing the food.
Their surroundings must also be always clean, he said. – The Vibes, July 28, 2022
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