Two ‘unhygienic’ Penang eateries closed and fined
GEORGE TOWN: Rat droppings around the stove. A screwdriver used as a utensil and cockroaches near the ice box. All these were the reasons two eateries along Macallum Street Ghaut were closed for 14 days.
Besides the closure under Section 11 of the Food Act 1983, the two eateries were also served with 13 summonses amounting to RM3,250 on Tuesday night.
Penang Island City Council (MBPP) Licensing Department head Azman Sirun said the operation dubbed “Ops Bersih” involved the MBPP and the Northeast district health office.
“Both the premises were analysed based on health risk factors and they were found to be below the safety requirements.
“A food premises needs to get a minimum of 65% to be allowed to operate and the two outlets scored 52%. In the next 14 days, the business operator will need to make sure the place is cleaned and if the Health officer is satisfied with the cleanliness, then the premises can reopen,” he said.
Azman said they found rat droppings in both the kitchens.
“We also issued 13 summonses under the council’s Food Establishment Act Bylaws 1991, eight to the nasi kandar outlet and five to the restaurant,” he said.
Azman said from January to June this year, 20 food premises were closed down by the department.
“We issued over 1,257 summonses as well during the same period,” he said.
It was reported on July 14 that 12 food premises comprising several famous nasi kandar outlets and restaurants in the Little India enclave in George Town were also instructed by the department to close for 14 days after failing hygiene requirements.