Kota Kinabalu: A video clip that went viral supposedly showing a man spitting into the food he was preparing at a food stall in Labuan has raised concern and outrage in social media.
The man in the 12-second clip has since lodged a police report, denying the accusations and insisting that he was merely checking to make sure there were no eggshells in the food.
However, netizens are not convinced and wondered if this was the case with most food sold in bazaars during Ramadan. They said it would greatly impact the sale of Ramadan food in future bazaars and that this would affect the livelihood of hundreds or even thousands of innocent food pedlars who depend on Ramadan sales for a meaningful Hari Raya.
Labuan Police Chief Supt Ahmad Jawila on Friday said three police reports regarding the “spitting” incident in Labuan had been made. According to preliminary investigations, the incident occurred on April 19 at the Labuan Walk Ramadan Bazaar. The man in the video is said to be a murtabak vendor at the bazaar.
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He urged members of the public from disseminating video snippets or statements that could cause concern in the community. He requested anyone with knowledge about the incident to contact his Investigating Officer, ASP Mohd Kennedy Mat Jusoh, at 087-412222 so that investigations could be expedited.
Another video clip that made the rounds on social media showed what appeared to be maggots on a hot plate of freshly fried noodles at a restaurant in Papar.
In March, six food processing factories in Sandakan were ordered to stop operations immediately due to unhygienic practices. That same month, several Luyang proprietors were asked to do more about the cleanliness of their eateries.
It was earlier reported that the Ministry of Health (MoH) received two reports of food poisoning incidents that occurred in Ramadan bazaars so far.
It said the two incidents were caused by food that was purchased in the Asia City Ramadan bazaar in Kota Kinabalu and UiTM Ramadan bazaar in Segamat, Johor.
“Four compound notices for the offence of not complying with operator clothing food under the Food Hygiene Regulations 2009 have been issued to traders at the UiTM Ramadan bazaar.
“It has also been ordered to close under the Prevention and Control Act Infectious Diseases 1988,” said the MoH in a statement here.
In addition, MoH said it received a total of 17 food complaints involving Ramadan bazaars throughout the country with 15 of those investigated while two are still under investigation.
These incidents came to light when MoH through the Safety and Quality Division Food carried out hygiene and food safety operations at the Ramadan Bazaar for the period March 23 to April 16.
A total of 640 Ramadan bazaars nationwide were visited and a total of 51,849 premises were inspected to ensure that food prepared and sold is safe and complies with the requirements of the Food Act 1983, Regulations Food 1985 and Food Hygiene Regulations 2009. Following that, the MoH has ordered 14 food premises to close under Section 11 of the Food Act 1983 and 2,188 Notices under Section 32B of the same law have been issued.
“An estimated compound value of RM197,600 was issued to premises owners, premises representatives and food operators for various types of offences such as no food handler training, no anti-typhoid injection and food handler clothing,” said the MoH.
The Food Act 1983 ensures that the public is protected from health hazards and fraud in the preparation, sale and use of foods and for matters related to it.
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