Company fined RM22,500 for flouting food health regulations

A company was fined a total of RM22,500 by the Magistrate’s Court here yesterday after it admitted to selling sugar containing non-nutritive sweeteners and three counts of importing ponkan citruses and red chillies containing pesticides that exceeded the permitted level set by the law.

Magistrate Afiq Agoes imposed the fine on the company after its manager pleaded guilty to all the four charges yesterday.

On the first count, the company was fined RM7,500, in default, one year jail for selling rock sugar containing cyclamate, an artificial sweetener for the product, at the company’s premises at Jalan 1E, South KKIP Karambunai on January 3.

The charge, framed under Section 13B (2)(e) and punishable under Section 13B (4) of the Food Act 1983, provides for a fine of up to RM20,000 or a jail term of up to five years, or both, upon conviction.

On the second, third and fourth counts, the company was fined another RM5,000 each, in default, six months jail for importing the fruits which contained two pesticides of 0.405mg/kg and 0.098mg/kg respectively, and the vegetable which contained two pesticides of 0.04mg/kg and 0.22mg/kg respectively at the same place between January 9 and 16.

The permitted level of pesticides in this case, which were Ethion, Profenofos, Chlorpenapyr and Propamocarb, as set by the authority should not exceed 0.01mg/kg.

The three charges, framed under Rule 397 (1) and punishable under Rule 397 (2) of the Food Regulations 1985, carries a fine of up to RM10,000 or a maximum jail of two years, or both, upon conviction.

In mitigation, the company, through its manager, pleaded for leniency as these were their first offences.

State Health Department prosecuting officer John Raynold Anak Achon urged for a deterrent sentence be given to the company to serve as a lesson and for them to be more aware about health aspects when selling and importing food in future.