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18 eateries in Kedah fail hygiene spot checks

ALOR STAR: Eighteen eateries in Kedah were slapped with a 14-day shut down order after failing hygiene inspection by the state Health Department yesterday.

Its director Dr Othman Warijo said the premises were ordered to suspend their operations after failing to score less than 75 per cent on the premise hygiene assessment under Section 11 of Food Act 1983.

"During the operation, we inspected 230 food and beverage premises. Out of the number, 18 were ordered to close for 14 days after their owners were found to have failed to comply with hygiene standards.

"The inspections found that parts of the premises, such as the floors and kitchens, were in filthy conditions which could attract pests like flies, rats, and cockroaches.

"The inspection also found that their ingredients were not properly organised and stored, which could provide health hazards to their customers," he told reporters here late last night.

The simultaneous operation held in Alor Star, Pokok Sena, Sik and Baling districts involved 118 officers from the department, police, the Ministry of Domestic Trade and the Cost of Living and local authorities.

During the same operation, Dr Othman said a total of 135 compounds were issued to owners of premises for violating various offences under Food Hygiene Regulations 2009.

"The number of complaints lodged have increased drastically. The state health department will not hesitate to take immediate action on operators who fail to adhere to regulations," he said.

Meanwhile, Dr Othman said 10 compound notices worth RM2,750 were issued for violation of the Control of Tobacco Products Regulations 2004.

"A notice was issued on an individual for smoking inside a shopping mall and two notices were produced for smokers who were smoking inside eatery premises.

"Another seven notices were produced for business owners failing to display a smoking-free zone signage at their premises," he added.

Dr Othman said if the fine was not settled within the given period, the offenders wouldl be taken to court.

If found guilty, offenders can face a fine not exceeding RM10,000 or face imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years under the Control of Tobacco Products Regulations 2004.

He also said 10 compound notices worth RM5,000 were produced under the Destruction of Disease-Bearing Insects Act 1975 for premises that could potentially become Aedes-breeding grounds.

"The state health department will conduct inspections in the whole state on a scheduled basis from now on.

"We encourage members of the public to lodge a formal complaint to us about any unhygienic premises or any smoking violations in the premises," he added.

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