PUTRAJAYA, March 15 — The Health Ministry (MoH) has not received any reports of food poisoning cases at Ramadan bazaars so far, said its minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.
This is a positive sign, and can be attributed to MoH’s 183 briefing sessions on food premises cleanliness and safe food handling for stall owners before Ramadan.
The sessions, which began in early February, involved 70,334 traders at 1,299 Ramadan bazaar sites nationwide this year.
“As early as February, we began information and training sessions for food stall owners and handlers,” he told the press after launching the Food Cleanliness and Safety Operation for Ramadan Bazaars today.
Before Ramadan, MoH also inspected 324 food preparation premises, including ice factories in all states.
“The inspection of food premises also includes those providing ‘buka puasa’ buffets, like restaurants and hotels.
“The systematic monitoring throughout the food chain includes inspections of raw material supplier premises, including ice factories and food preparation premises for traders licensed by the local authorities,” Dr Dzulkefly said.
Meanwhile, MoH will continue to use QR codes to provide feedback on cleanliness and food safety at the Putrajaya Ramadan bazaars this year.
“It aims to facilitate users’ channelling of any complaints regarding cleanliness and food safety in the bazaars around Putrajaya.
“MoH would like to stress that traders must take cleanliness and food safety aspects seriously and cooperate to ensure that the food sold is safe and of quality for everyone,” he said.
On reports of food containing fly eggs at a Ramadan bazaar in Melaka, Dr Dzulkefly said MoH will investigate the matter.
“We will definitely investigate and hope for reports from any party; MoH will take action,” he said.
Yesterday, local media reported a woman expressing disappointment after claiming the beef soup she bought at a Ramadan bazaar in Semabok, Melaka, contained fly eggs.
— Bernama
