Food Stall Operators Told To Mind Hygiene
By Rosli Abidin Yahya

Bandar Seri Begawan - Bandar Seri Begawan Municipal Board acting chairman Haji Nairul Anawar Haji Abd Lahai yesterday presented aprons to operators of Ramadhan Bazaar in the capital to stress the importance of cleanliness in food preparation.

Some 76 operators at the parking lot near Royal Regalia received the aprons, sponsored by Nestle Sdn Bhd.

Another 200 aprons will be handed over to operators at Gadong Ramadhan Bazaar this afternoon. Haji Nairul Anawar, in his speech yesterday, urged food stall operators to maintain the level of hygiene set by the Ministry of Health.

"The BSB Municipal Board will not hesitate to take drastic actions against stalls that fail to meet the standards set by the authority," he said.

As stipulated under the Emergency (Public Health) (Food) Act 1998, health officials are given the authority to inspect food premises at anytime.

The inspectors can, on reasonable suspicion, enter and inspect food processing plants to ensure the required standards are met.

Since January 1, 2001, a new set of rules on food safety has been in force. The (Public Health) Food and Regulation Act ensures that imported as well as locally processed foods are safe for consumers in terms of handling and quality.

The penalty for breaching any of the provisions of the act includes a five-year jail term or a fine, or both. The new act is aimed at ensuring regular monitoring and control of the quality of food items' supplied in the country.

According to the authorities, the act is needed to guard the population against food poisoning and steer them away from food-borne diseases such as cholera and typhoid, which usually is spread due to poor processing or handling of food items. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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