Dog, Rat And Cockroach Infested Chinese Steamed Buns And Dim Sum Factory Raided, Operator Fined RM2,700
During the raid, authorities found rat and cockroach droppings, and three pet dogs roaming the factory.
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A raid on a Chinese steamed buns factory in Penang revealed shocking food hygiene horror.
When authorities raided the factory in Medan Melor Selatan, they found three pet dogs, rats and cockroaches roaming the premise.
The raid was conducted by the Food Safety and Quality Division (BKKM) from the Penang Health Department.
Dubbed Ops Tegar, the operation started at 9.30 am on Wednesday.
Based on investigation, the factory had been operating illegally for the past 10 years at the back of a house.
State BKKM chief Mohd Wazir Khalid said the factory was clearly unfit to operate, judging from its environmental conditions and the level of hygiene compliance.
Not Learning From Past Mistakes
Mohd Wazir said the food product operators had previously been subjected to closure action in 2019.
Indeed, the condition of this premise is deplorable. We found the area unhygienic, the equipment used was not washed, not to mention rat and cockroach droppings in the storeroom as well as three dogs roaming around the food processing place.
State BKKM chief Mohd Wazir Khalid on food safety violation at the factory.
Besides that, BKMM also found that foreign workers at the factory do not wear personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves and headgear when processing food.
A closure notice for 14 days according to Section 11 of the Food Act 1983 was issued to the factory operator.
Three compounds amounting to RM2,700 for other offenses were also issued.
It is understood that the operator produces 1,000 Chinese steamed buns every day for the markets around Butterworth.
Meanwhile, in a separate raid at a fish ball processing factory here, the owner was issued with five compounds,
The owner failed to ensure workers use PPE equipment when processing food.
Mohd Wazir said the compounds was also issued because the product did not have a label and for placing food products on the floor.
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