Kota Kinabalu: A food vendor was fined RM2,500 or three months’ jail for selling contaminated food at a Ramadan Bazaar.
Suzini Lamsin pleaded guilty before Magistrate Lovely Natasha Charles to selling fish curry for RM8 that was contaminated with 20 CFU/g Staphylococcus aureus bacteria.
The offence took place at 3.10pm on Apr 3 this year at the Bazaar Ramadan site in Taman Suria Shoplot Apartment, Penampang.
She violated the Regulation 39(2) of the Food Regulations 1985 and Regulation 397(2) of the Food Regulations 1985, which provides for a fine of up to RM10,000 or up to two years, or both, on conviction.
SPONSORED CONTENT Daily Express members: Enjoy 1 for 1 signature cocktails and more at Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu Kota Kinabalu: DAILY EXPRESS is partnering with Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu to offer an exclusive deal for our members. Read more Suzini who was not represented, asked for leniency saying that she was not working and was selling for the first time at the Bazaar at that time.
However, Health prosecuting officer Chua Yau Wah urged the court to hand down a deterrent sentence so as to give a lesson not only to Suzini but also public at large.
Chua submitted that Staphylococcus aureus is a bacteria found in food and that food can become dangerous to health if food is not handled properly.
The court heard that the health enforcement team, who went to the bazaar to conduct food sampling activities took two food samples, namely fish curry and chicken curry from Suzini’s stall and sent them to the Kota Kinabalu Public Health Laboratory for analysis.
On May 17 this year, the analysis showed that the fish curry contained 20 CFU/g Staphylococcus aureus bacteria exceeding the rate set in accordance with the Food Regulations 1985.
Meanwhile, a 63-year-old man claimed trial to allowing six illegal immigrants to stay in his premises.
Nip Wing Hon, who made the plea before Sessions Court Judge Azreena Aziz, is accused of permitting the Indonesian aged 18 and 55, who have no documents between 12.10am and 12.45am on March 23 this year at the Rumah Kongsi Evermaster Batu 5, Jalan Nabawan.
The court set Oct 23 for case management and May 13-14 for trial.
Nip was released on bail of RM10,000 with RM5,000 deposited in two local sureties pending the date.
The court also ordered Nip to report to the nearest police station once a month and his passport if any, to be kept by the court.
Prosecuting Officer Abu Sofian Karate from Immigration Department prosecuted.
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