Hawkers Who Use Staples Or Nails To Pack Food Can Be Fined Up To RM10,000
A heavier punishment could be imposed if the material is found in the food.
By May Vin Ang — 05 Jan 2022, 10:43 AM
Food traders who use nails, staples, or other dangerous materials to secure their food packaging can be fined up to RM10,000 or jailed for up to two years
Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said that traders can be charged in court for the offence under Regulation 36 of Food Hygiene Regulations 2009.
Noor Hisham added that a heavier punishment could be imposed if the material is found in the food under Section 13 of the Food Act 1983.
"[The regulation] states that any person who prepares or sells any food that has in or upon it any substance which is injurious to health commits 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 said in a statement on Tuesday, 4 January.
He said the Ministry of Health (MOH) took note of the recent viral post on Facebook about a young child allegedly ingesting a nail that was used to secure a pack of rice
The Facebook community page, Public Health Malaysia, claimed that a child was rushed to a hospital because he accidentally swallowed a nail and was experiencing immense pain.
"An X-ray found that the nail had reached his stomach and emergency surgery was done to remove the nail. This is an example of an unwanted accident that could happen if a foreign object is found in our food," read the post that was uploaded on 31 December last year.
The page urged food stall owners to stop using hazardous materials such as nails and stapler bullets to secure their food, and instead opt for tying methods.
Noor Hisham agreed that there are safer methods to pack food with, instead of using small metal objects that could cause serious injuries if accidentally consumed
"At the same time, the public, especially parents, are advised to check the food given to their children before consumption," he advised.
He added that the ministry's Food Safety and Quality Division found 19 out of 546 food samples collected from 2019 to 2021 that were contaminated with physical materials such as stones, plastic, sand, hair, insects, and worms.
Examples of food packaging with staples used to secure them.
Image via Public Health Malaysia (Facebook)The Health DG reiterated that action will be taken against food operators and traders found going against the law
Regulation 36 of the Food Hygiene Regulations 2009 states that food handlers must ensure that the food packaging is free from any contamination, he said.
Noor Hisham also encouraged consumers to contact their state health departments, district health offices, or head to MOH's website or the Food Safety and Quality Division's Facebook page to make a complaint if they see food being secured with nails and staples, or to report other issues regarding food safety.
