KUCHING, Jan 8: Though uncommon in Kuching, local food traders are advised against using nails and staples to secure food packaging, says Kuching South City Council (MBKS) mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng.
Such materials could endanger the health and safety of consumers, and the authorities could impose heavy penalties on food operators and owners, he said.
Section 13 of the Food Act 1983 states that any person who prepares or sells food that has in or upon it any substance which is harmful to health has committed an offence and shall be liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding RM100,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years or both, he explained.
“Though the practice of using nails in packaging food is rare here in Sarawak, especially in Kuching, we hope food operators could avoid these practices entirely.
“They could accidentally hurt the consumers if eaten,” said Wee during his Facebook live session today. He noted that all food operators, before receiving their licenses from MBKS, would have to attend classes on food safety and hygiene.
Should the public find any stalls or eateries under MBKS jurisdiction serving food with nails, staples or similarly dangerous materials, they should complain to the council.
On Jan 4, Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah released a statement saying that food traders using nails and staples to secure food packaging can be charged to court or jailed.
This was following viral posts on social media of hawkers using nails to secure food packaging. The usage of nails to seal food packages is said to be an old tradition at some eateries in Kelantan. — DayakDaily
