FOOD OUTLETS FAIL CLEANLINESS GUIDELINES

Tuesday, 31 March 2009

FOOD OUTLETS FAIL CLEANLINESS GUIDELINES

Unhygienic conditions....the cooking area for this restaurant is right next to a clogged drain. Uncooked food is left exposed to contamination.

IF restaurants and coffeeshop owners in USJ1 (Subang Permai) had to sit for a test, they would fail terribly.

Although their food tastes good for those who patronise their outlets, the customer would throw up what was just consumed minutes earlier, if he just saw the despicable conditions under which the food is prepared.

A spot check by the Subang Jaya Municipal Council in the area failed four out of the six outlets inspected.

The four outlets received a "D" for their cleanliness but that itself doesn't do justice to what the team found lurking in the kitchen, drains and surroundings.

Raw meat and vegetables were found on the dirty floor, waste water filled with food residue and particles flowing into already clogged drains, rats eating away in the drains, cockroaches everywhere and the indiscriminate dumping of rubbish in the backlane were just some of the scenes that one would see daily at the site.

While all of these was "happening" around them, diners who patronised these shops were enjoying the scrumptous meals on their plate, oblivious to the health risks they are being exposed to.

Uncooked meat is seen left on the floor at a restaurant in USJ1

Yes, there is no doubt that Malaysians can stomach anything but to actually expose themselves to such risks is unimaginable.

Perhaps Malaysians have this perception that the dirtier the outlet is, the better the meals would taste. But think again!

Many a time, food handlers have been found to remain unvaccinated from typhoid and even hepatitis, exposing those who consume the food they prepare to a cocktail of ailments, which could otherwise have been avoided.

MPSJ public relations officer Azfarizal Abdul Rashid who was present during the checks said the owners of the outlets were slapped with compounds for:

1. polluting of public drains with food debris and rubbish;

2. washing utensils on five-foot-ways and backlanes;

3. unhygienic and dirty outlets; and

4. placing food on the floor.

Each offence committed could see owners paying a compound of RM1,000.00.

"Four out of the six outlets we checked today deserved to be shut down and ordered to clean up before they are allowed to reopen."

"We are however being considerate in light of the economic slowdown. We are giving them seven days to clean up but the compound will still be given to the owners," he said, adding that failure to comply this time around would result in the shutdown of the premises.

Asfarizal said Alam Flora has been directed to clean up the drains and backlanes immediately.

Several of the outlets had also been found to have built over drains with permanent structures, making it impossible for drains to be cleaned frequently.

No passing through...five-foot-ways are blocked by tables and chairs placed by this restaurant owner.

Asfarizal said those found building over drains could face a maximum compound of RM12,500 if they failed to return the area to its original condition.

MPSJ councilor Theresa Ratnam Thong who sits in the health committee said the covering of drains had resulted in wash water flowing on roads and subsequently causing damage to the roads.

"The obstruction of five-foot-ways also means pedestrians have to walk on the road, exposing themselves to potential snatch thieves," she said after the visit to USJ1 and SS19.

Unsightly and dirty...backlanes like this are a common sight in many areas around Subang Jaya, if patrons to restaurants actually step out to take in the sights.