A food seller named Arna Jamaludin, aged 41 was fined RM1,800 (Ringgit Malaysia) or faced a one-month jail term by default for selling contaminated food. Arna pleaded guilty before Magistrate Stephanie Sherron Abbie during the proceedings. The incident took place on March 27 at 2.25pm when Arna sold food that was made with mangoes containing Staphylococcus aureus bacteria.
It is a common occurrence for food to become contaminated with this bacteria through improper handling. Arna was charged under Regulation 397(1) of the Food Regulations 1985. This offense is punishable under Regulation 397(2) of the same regulation, which states that if convicted, the offender could face a fine of up to RM10,000, a maximum imprisonment of two years, or both. During the case, the health enforcement team collected food samples from Arna's stall.
These samples were subsequently sent to the Kota Kinabalu Public Health laboratory for analysis. The results of the analysis revealed that the food contained 3.4x10^2 CFU/g (colony-forming units per gram) of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. Arna, who did not have legal representation, appealed for leniency, citing financial difficulties and promising not to repeat such an offense in the future.
However, the health prosecuting officer, Arnila Ahmad, urged the court to hand down an appropriate sentence to serve as a deterrent and emphasize the importance of public health. Arnila also highlighted the dangers of improperly handling and preparing food, as Staphylococcus aureus is a bacteria commonly found in food. In a separate case heard by the same court, a 19-year-old man named Liew Chern Shiang was fined RM400 or faced a one-week jail term by default for smoking in a restaurant.
Liew admitted to smoking in the eatery located in Lintas Square on August 24, 2022, which contravened Regulation 11(1)(d) of the Control of Tobacco Products Regulations 2004. The offense committed by Liew is covered under Regulation 11(3) of the same Regulations, which stipulates a fine of up to RM10,000 or imprisonment of up to two years upon conviction. Both Arna and Liew paid their respective fines as ordered by the court.
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