THE Penang State Health Department, through its Food Safety and Quality Division, has been monitoring activities at Ramadan bazaars since the commencement of the fasting month last week.
According to the Youth, Sports, and Health Committee chairman Daniel Gooi Zi Sen, the goal is to uphold food safety standards and ensure compliance with the Food Act 1983 and its associated regulations.
“Collaborating with the local authorities, we conducted inspections on 2,901 food premises. Out of the 2,901 food premises, 99.2% or 2,899 stalls met satisfactory conditions, scoring over 80%.
“However, we issued 63 compound notices to some food sellers for various infringements, including lacking anti-typhoid vaccinations, failing to wear aprons and head coverings, and wearing jewellery. These fines amounted to an estimated RM8,000.
“A total of 175 food samples were sent to the Butterworth Food Safety and Quality Laboratory for microbiological analysis,” said Gooi during a Bazaar Ramadan walkabout at Solok Mayang Pasir recently.
Results revealed that 8.6%, or 15 of the 175 samples tested, were contaminated with harmful bacteria.
Gooi emphasised that the state Health Department is encouraging visitors to scan QR codes to report cleanliness and food safety issues at any Ramadan bazaar sites.
Fahmi Zainol, state executive councillor for Agrotechnology & Food Assurance and Cooperative Development, advised visitors to prioritise clean premises when handling food.
“I’ve been received complaints about traders improperly disposing of waste, sometimes directly into nearby drains. Therefore, it is crucial for traders to adhere to proper hygiene practice,” he said.
This Ramadan, the state local authorities have approved 81 Ramadan bazaars, with 33 located on the island, and the rest on the mainland.
The Bayan Baru Ramadan Bazaar, boasting 142 sites and 87 traders, stands as one of the largest bazaars on the island.
Also present at the bazaar walkabout were Penang Island City Council mayor Datuk A. Rajendran; state Health Department director Dr Fazilah Shaik Alaudin, and deputy director of Food Safety and Quality at state Health Department Rafeah Sabil.
Story and pix by Nur Syakirah Mohd Basri