New guidelines for Ramadan bazaars issued

SEREMBAN: Ramadan food bazaars set up nationwide during the fasting month must be located at least two kilometres away from vegetable or livestock farms to prevent food contamination.

The Health Ministry, which has issued a comprehensive set of guidelines to ensure the quality of food sold at the bazaars is never compromised, said the move was necessary as vegetable or livestock farms could be possible sources of contamination due to the use of pesticides and the presence of flies.

The ministry came up with the revised guidelines following an increase in food poisoning cases.

The ministry said 279 cases of food poisoning were reported between 2011 and 2015.

Three people died after they consumed foodstuff they bought at the bazaars in 2011 and 2012, added the ministry.

All local authorities must comply with the guidelines.

“These bazaars should also be located away from industrial areas and construction sites, again to prevent contamination,” it said.

The guidelines also stipulate that road surfaces at the bazaars should be paved and that they should not be located on grassy plots.

“Avoid holding bazaars at areas which are at risk of being polluted by bird droppings.”

The ministry said stall owners should sell their foodstuff within four hours of preparation.

“The food must be kept at room temperature as well,” it said, adding that the food should not be left exposed.

The ministry said the authorities should also ensure that public toilets located nearby were clean and properly maintained, with soap and piped water available.

Health authorities will also conduct random sampling of foods sold at bazaars where food poisoning cases had been reported previously.

This year, Ramadan is from end May to June.