GEORGE TOWN, July 23 — The Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) has urged authorities to check on all food factories to ensure that they adhere to a high standard of hygienic food manufacturing practices.
CAP president Mohideen Abdul Kader said that despite having called for the monitoring of food manufacturers for decades, some factories felt emboldened to violate the law because raids were not carried out regularly.
"In recent media reports, several food factories in Penang were told to cease operations for cleaning purposes for two weeks in accordance with Section 11 of the Food Act 1983. Four factories were fined a total of RM9,000 and that averages to a mere RM2,200, which is a small amount for some of the food manufacturers," he said in a statement yesterday.
"The penalties imposed under Section 11 of the Act are grossly insufficient, taking into consideration the huge number of people who can be affected by the distribution of contaminated food from factories," he said, adding that the Act should be amended as Section 11 of the Act did not serve as a deterrent.
Mohideen said that the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) and Penang Island City Council (MBPP) powers were also limited to only issuing compounds to dirty food outlets, as only the Health Department currently has the power to shut down illegal and dirty premises.
He urged MBSP and MBPP to consider increasing the fine to not more than RM15,000 as some of these food outlets had daily incomes exceeding that amount.
"As for factories under the jurisdiction of the Health Department, we urge the government to consider raising the fine to RM30,000, taking into account the gravity of their lackadaisical attitude and the possible negative health impact on consumers," he said.
— Bernama
