Filthy soy sauce factory told to close for two weeks

GEORGE TOWN: Faecal matter from cats, rats and cockroaches found in a traditional soy sauce factory in Jalan C.Y. Choy here led to a two-week closure order.

In a surprise raid yesterday, the state Health Department and Department of Environment slapped the closure order on the factory’s front door and ordered the operator to clean up.

Penang Island City Council’s Licensing and Public Health Standing Committee alternate chairman Ong Ah Teong, who joined the raid, said the operator was also fined RM100 for being a public nuisance due to the firewood smoke blowing out of the factory.

“We came to investigate because of the many complaints from nearby residents and tourists about the smoke.

“They claimed it led to breathing difficulties and the smoke was coming out from 6am to 11pm every day,” he said.

Ong found that the factory had no chimney, so the smoke was billowing into the street.

“We are giving them two weeks to find an alternative such as using cooking gas,” he added.

However, a worker defended using firewood. The employee was overheard telling the raiding team that wood smoke gave the soy sauce a better aroma.

“That’s why char kuey teow fried over a charcoal fire is better than gas. We need wood fire to make good soy sauce,” he said.

In 2014, five food factories were ordered closed for two weeks after being found with animal faeces contamination.

They were a soy sauce factory in Jelutong, a noodle factory in Kepala Batas, and three factories making bread, fried shallots and potato chips in Bukit Mertajam.

The public can lodge complaints against unhygienic eateries and food premises with the state Health Department at 04-201 7277 or 04-201 7278.