By Zareef Muzammil
SHAH ALAM, Dec 28 — The Kuala Selangor Municipal Council (MPKS) issued 162 fines and 18 notices to food premises operators for various offences from May to October this year.
The local authority said action was taken during 'Operasi Tomyam dan Premis Makanan Waktu Malam' by its Environmental Health Department and the Kuala Selangor District Health Office, involving 77 food premises.
"The inspection of the food premises to ensure their cleanliness is at a good level and food safety is guaranteed.
"It also aims to ensure food premises remain clean and safe for patrons to visit," it said in a statement.
The compounds were issued under MPKS' Licensing, Business and Industrial Trade Bylaws 2007, and the Food Handling Bylaws 2007.
Similar action was taken under the Food Establishment Licensing Bylaws 2007, the Food Act 1983, the Food Regulations 1985, and the Food Hygiene Regulations 2009.
During the same period, the council determined that eight premises were ordered to cease operations for 14 days, after failing to achieve a satisfactory level of cleanliness, as well as the discovery of rat and cockroach excrement.
The order to cease operations is in accordance with Section 11 of the Food Act 1983, necessitating the offending operators involved to carry out immediate and thorough cleaning before being allowed to reopen again.
"Inspections like these will be expanded to constantly maintain a good level of hygiene for food premises operators," MPKS said.
