Kota Kinabalu: A supermarket operator was fined RM2,500 by the Magistrate’s Court here after one of its outlets was found selling contaminated dates.
Bataras Sdn Bhd, the operator of Bataras Superstore @ Kingfisher, pleaded guilty through its representative to selling Fresh Kurma that tested positive for the Aspergillus spp. fungus. Laboratory analysis revealed 1.23 per cent damage in the sample taken from the premises on March 18 at 10.30am.
The company was charged under Regulation 39(2) of the Food Regulations 1985, which prohibits the sale or advertisement of ready-to-eat food contaminated with pathogenic microorganisms.
window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []};googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.defineSlot('/22826383987/dailyexpress_inline', [1, 1], 'gpt-passback').addService(googletag.pubads());googletag.enableServices();googletag.display('gpt-passback');});The offence falls under Section 13B(2)(e) of the Food Act 1983, which provides for a maximum fine of RM20,000, imprisonment for up to five years, or both, on conviction.
The court was informed by the State Health Department’s prosecution team that enforcement officers from the Kota Kinabalu Health Office collected a one-kilogram sample of the dates at the Kingfisher outlet, witnessed by a staff member.
The sealed sample was sent to the Chemistry Department in Johor Bahru for analysis.
On May 8, test results confirmed the presence of Aspergillus spp. The extent of damage was 1.23 per cent.
The court ordered the company to pay the RM2,500 fine, failing which a warrant of levy would be issued.
