MELAKA — The Melaka Health Department has recorded 1,939 notices for food hygiene violations after conducting checks on 5,787 food premises across the state between January and November.
State Health Exco Datuk Ngwe Hee Sem said the notices, totalling RM260,475, were issued under the Food Hygiene Regulations 2009. He added that 77 food outlets — including hotel kitchens, restaurants, school canteens and eateries — were ordered to shut down for two weeks due to severe cleanliness issues such as rodent droppings, cockroach infestations and failure to meet hygiene standards.
Ngwe said the figures reflect ongoing concerns over hygiene levels in Melaka and urged consumers to patronise premises that uphold good practices and hold BeSS (Clean and Safe) certification.
From Jan 1 to Oct 31, a total of 91 premises earned BeSS recognition.
The certification is valid for three years and requires registration with SSM and FOSIM, valid local authority licences, and mandatory typhoid vaccinations and training for food handlers.