Cleanzine: your weekly cleaning and hygiene industry newsletter 18th April 2024 Issue no. 1110
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Street food stalls in Malaysia still flouting hygiene rules
Despite continuous campaigns, some Malaysian food businesses seem unconcerned about hygiene rules - especially those that are operating makeshift stalls by the roadside and under flyovers. The fact that there aren't any proper drainage or waste collection systems only serves to make things worse...
Rubbish piles up beside the monsoon drains, while drinks cans and polystyrene boxes litter the roadside. As a result, there is often a stench.Surprisingly, food for sale is often left uncovered, exposing it to flies and dust; but perhaps more surprisingly, the conditions don't seem to deter the customers!
"Apart from being an eyesore, these stalls also raise the questions about food safety as most of them do not have piped water which is essential for washing, while some stall operators do not display business licences, which raises doubts about their legal status," argues the New Straits Times.
An office worker, who wanted to be known only as Abdullah, told the publication that the stalls were not the best places to eat but the food was cheap and tasty.
"We are paying less here compared with restaurants and food courts," he said. "My colleagues and I are regular customers and, so far, we have not suffered from food poisoning."
Mayor Datuk Mat Noh Ahmad said stall operators had been reminded many times to prepare and display food hygienically. He also urged the public to keep away from dirty eateries and roadside stalls.
State Health Department director Dr Ismail Abu Taat urged the authorities to take swift action against errant eatery operators. He also urged food stall operators to prepare food hygienically and keep their food covered.
24th April 2014