Two food processing factories and a grocery store were closed for 14 days as ordered by the Penang Health Department due to unsatisfactory cleanliness level.
According to the department’s Food Safety and Quality Division Environmental Health officer Mohd Wazir Khalid, they had collaborated with the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) to carry out raids on the premises that were also issued compounds of RM20,000 each for various hygiene-related offences.
The first premises was a factory that processed ‘mi sua’ noodles in Kampung Selamat located opposite a pig farm and was operating without a licence, reported Bernama.
“This factory was previously raided in 2012 and up until now it has been operating illegally, Mohd Wazir Khalid said.
“From the Health Ministry’s perspective, we are against the location as it can cause food contamination. I leave it to the licensing department to take action.”
He said that the noodles from the factory were being processed on the floor and dried in an open area where there was a high chance of contamination with foreign elements like bird droppings.
The second premise was a coconut processing factory located in the same area. The premises was found to also be operating without a license and in a dirty condition.
Factory workers were seen stepping on dried coconut while the coconuts were stored in dirty containers and placed near a toilet with the risk of being contaminated with bacteria that can cause cholera and typhoid.
The third premises was a grocery store located in Tasek Gelugor. The raid found rat droppings and items being sold way past their due dates.
Also read: DBKL Finds Tofu Factory In Cheras Extremely Dirty, Smelly & Infested With Cockroaches
