Yiing (left) oversees the inspection at one of the food premises.
SIBU (Oct 14): Two food premises were issued notices for failing to comply with cleanliness and hygiene standards during inspections by Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) yesterday.
SMC Public Health and Municipal Services chairman Yiing Sy Huat said the inspections covered restaurants, hotels kitchens, banquet halls and bakeries, focusing on hygiene standards, damaged utensils and expired food items.
“With the year-end approaching, many banquets and gatherings will be held, and it is of paramount importance that the cleanliness and hygiene of restaurants are strictly maintained,” he said.
Yiing said food premises under the council’s jurisdiction, including coffee shops, large restaurants, hotels and banquet halls, were inspected according to their hygiene grades.
Grade A premises are inspected once every two years, Grade B premises annually and Grace C premises every six months.
He also stressed that hotels, large restaurants, banquet halls and other food premises must ensure their kitchen grease traps function properly to prevent waste oil and food residue from entering drains and causing unpleasant odours and blockages.
Yiing urged food operators to clean grease traps regularly, with the frequency depending on business volume and trap size.
“Busy establishments may need to clean them daily, while others should do so at least once every three to five days.
“Smaller grease traps may require daily cleaning to prevent them from becoming filled with waste oil and food residue, which would render them ineffective,” he said.
He also reminded food operators to check supplies regularly for expired items and stop using damaged utensils.
Operators found using damages utensils during inspections by Ministry of Health officers could face fines, he said, adding that the ministry had begun enforcement activities.
Yiing said the council’s inspections were intended to guide and educate food operators rather than make things difficult for them.
He added that the council would continue regular monitoring and follow-up inspections to ensure food premises complied with hygiene regulations, council by-laws and business licensing requirements.
