KUCHING: Fourteen traders of Ramadan bazaars throughout the state have been slapped with compound notices since the first day of fasting month.
State Health Department deputy director (food quality division) Mohamad Jefri Crossley said that of the number, 11 compounds were issued in Kuching while the remaining were in Sarikei, on misconduct and failing to comply with the Food Hygiene Regulations 2009.
He stressed that the non-compliance traders were served with a RM100 compound.
“The awareness projected by traders towards food hygiene has improved. Last year, 142 compounds were issued to traders who failed to comply with the regulations (Food Hygiene Regulations 2009),” he told this to reporters during the Stutong Ramadan Bazaar walkabout here yesterday.
According to him, there are a total of 72 Ramadan Bazaars set up with 12,279 licensed booths statewide.
In Kuching, a total of 24 bazaars with more than 1,300 licensed booths from local authorities are operating around Kuching, Samarahan, Padawan, Serian and Lundu.
He also said that the Health Department through its Security and Food Division as well as its units under the Divisional Health Department have been monitoring and inspecting the traders’ activities and premises.
Mohamad Jefri noted that the monitoring is carried out simultaneously throughout Sarawak during the fasting month.
He also pointed out that last year, a total of 2,173 food premises and 16 ice factories were inspected by the Food Safety and Quality Unit of the Divisional Health Office throughout Sarawak.
The inspection results revealed that more than 90 per cent of the premises had a satisfactory level of hygiene and samples were also taken from food sold at the bazaar for laboratory testing.
“The same effort is being practised this fasting month to ensure that the traders keep the high standard of food hygiene,” he said.
He added that it is the responsibility of all parties to ensure the provision and sale of hygienic and safe food to the public for consumption. For that, the Health Department would continue to work with all the relevant agencies especially the local authorities in conducting their responsibilities.
