KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry will carry out its Ramadan Operation to ensure foods sold all premises, including Ramadan bazaars, are safe for consumption.
In a statement, the ministry said this year's Ramadan Operation would be carried out involving inspections at premises and food sampling throughout the country.
This was to check that the food sold was in compliance with the Food Act 1983 and its regulations.
"These inspections will also be carried out in cooperation with the respective local authorities," said the statement.
It further stated that inspection activities would be conducted throughout the food chain, from the sourcing of raw materials and food preparation areas for traders licensed by the local authorities.
The activities started even before Ramadan.
"This is further continued with inspection activities at focused premises such as hotels offering Ramadan buffets, raw material supplier premises, and also ice preparation premises.
"Awareness campaigns related to food safety for the public, operators, owners of raw material premises, food preparation premises and food supplier premises are actively conducted through various platforms," it said.
The ministry advised the public to prioritise food safety throughout this Ramadan when selecting any meals, to "Observe and Choose" before purchasing and practice "See, Smell, Taste" to prevent food poisoning.
Traders are also advised to clean raw materials before use in food preparation and not to prepare high-risk foods too early before selling time.
If consumers have any concerns regarding food safety issues, they can contact any District Health Office, the nearest State Health Department, or visit http://moh.spab.gov.my and the Food Safety and Quality Programme Facebook page at www.facebook.com/bkkmhq.