Superstore owner fined for selling salt containing less iodine

KOTA BELUD: An superstore owner was fined RM2,500, in default, two months' jail by the Magistrate's Court here for selling three packets of coarse salt that contained less iodine set under the Food Regulations 1985.

The 50-year-old owner pleaded guilty before magistrate Lovely Natasha Charles to selling the salt contained 15 mg/kg iodine which was less than minimum level fixed under the said regulation at No. 20 Jalan Datu Mardan in Kota Belud on July 28, 2020.

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

In pleading for a lenient sentence, the unrepresented superstore through its owner urged court to impose a lower fine and claimed that the superstore will not be selling salt again in future.

The owner further claimed that he only obtained small profit from the selling between 40 - 50 cent, adding that his business also having hard times due to the movement control order.

He, who is married and has four kids that are still schooling, also explained that this was his first offence involving the superstore.

In reply, Health Department prosecuting officer Kelvindiran A/L Ularkanazan prayed for the accused to be given an appropriate punishment.

The prosecution explained that the lack of iodine in salt may cause health problem especially to children such as mumps.

The prosecution also explained that the storage of the salt may cause the iodine to be evaporated in salt.

The prosecution added that salt sold in the country must comply with the standard stated in the Food Act which is 20 - 40 mg/kg.