49 SUFFER FOOD POISONING

Canteen ordered shut, probe ongoing

SOME 49 pupils of Sekolah Kebangsaan (2) Taman Keramat came down with symptoms of food poisoning, including vomiting, stomach ache and diarrhoea, after having food at the canteen during recess yesterday.

The canteen had been ordered closed under the Communicable Diseases Prevention and Control Act 1988 and a notice under Regulation 32(1)(b) of the Food Hygiene Regulations 2009 was issued to the food handler, said Selangor health director Datuk Dr Khalid Ibrahim.

“An investigation by the Gombak health district office to identify the cause of the food poisoning is ongoing.

“Samples from the food handlers, the food and others at the canteen have been taken for laboratory analysis and we are waiting for the results,” he said in a statement.

Bernama reported that 22 of the affected pupils received outpatient treatment at a nearby hospital.

“All of the pupils are reported to be stable and there was no case of (hospital) admission. The food poisoning incident is under control and no new case has been reported,” Dr Khalid said.

He advised food handlers to ensure proper and hygienic handling of food, as well as self-hygiene, and the cleanliness and hygiene of their premises and surrounding areas.

National Union of the Teaching Profession secretary-general Harry Tan said the Education Ministry should set up a special body to look into food handling, preparations and cleanliness at schools

He said the ministry should get health inspectors, who are experts in the field, to monitor and have regular inspections to make sure canteen operators comply with the cleanliness and hygiene requirements when preparing food for students.

“The ministry should also consider starting an enforcement department to look into the issue,” said Tan.