178 food items seized on first day of Ops Raya

Kota Kinabalu: A total of 178 food items worth more than RM1,000 were seized on the first day of Ops Raya, here, Wednesday.The operation was jointly held under the National Blue Ocean Strategy (NBOS) by City Hall, Kota Kinabalu Health Office and Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism Ministry.

Mayor Datuk Yeo Boon Hai said during the operation, all food items and their storages in the supermarket around the city would be inspected.

"Apart from that, this is also done under the enforcement of the Food Act 1983 and Food Regulations 1985.

Through this operation, we also want to ensure the visibility of health enforcement during Ramadan," he said during a press conference at City Hall's headquarters, here.

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He added that among the aspects that will be emphasised during the operation would be the expiry date, packaging, physical condition of sold items and the condition of canned food.

"This operation is in line with the third element in City Hall's'4P' strategy which is law enforcement.

It will be conducted the whole month of Ramadan and businesses are advised to only sell food items which are not expired and they should not hike up the price unscrupulously.

"Consumers are also advised to be alert on expiry dates and wise to compare the prices when making purchases."

James Suladi, an Environmental Health Officer from Kota Kinabalu Health Office who led one of the teams during the operation, said food items from two premises inspected were seized as they violated the standards regulated under the law such as being spoilt, expired, unsealed and dented, among others. "We also put focus on seasonal items, food products which are usually sold during festive seasons.

"The operation today is only the beginning and we will continue it for the rest of the fasting month and after this to ensure that the food items sold in the city are safe to be consumed," he said.

According to him, the storage section in supermarkets which are found to violate the existing regulation will be ordered closed for two weeks.

"It will depend on the business owners on how to rectify the situation and once it is clean, then the section will be re-opened.

"Spoilt food items will be seized and we will apply for a court order for them to be disposed."

James said the public should also play their roles to ensure food safety.

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"The responsibility to ensure food safety doesn't only lie on the shoulders of law enforcement.

"The community is also advised to voice out their complaints if they find any unsafe food item or if they have any doubt on the items," he said.

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