GEORGE TOWN: A noodle processing factory and a soy sauce factory have been ordered to close for two weeks due to their filthy conditions, with rats and cockroaches found in food processing and storage areas.
State Health Department Food Safety and Quality Division environmental health officer Mohd Wazir Khalid said during the Ops Tegar 2 raids at both premises, the level of hygiene was “shocking”.
“The two factories, located in Jalan Perak and Batu Lanchang respectively, were issued three compounds each totalling almost RM12,000.
“We issued the factories a closure notice order under Section 11 of the Food Act 1983 until April 16,” he told reporters after the operation yesterday.
He said during the inspection at the soybean-based product processing factory in Batu Lanchang, they found rat droppings and cockroaches, adding that there were also barrels containing soybeans kept near the toilet area.
“Our inspection found rats roaming in the factory with their droppings everywhere. Cockroach nests were also found in the soybean storage area,” he said.
He added that there were three male workers, including two foreigners, present during the raid.
According to Bernama, Mohd Wazir said that the department had raided the factory two years ago with the owner being issued with compounds for similar offences, including being ordered to close for 14 days for similar reasons.
He said the inspection at the noodle processing factory showed that even the equipment used was covered in dust and slime “which I think had never been washed”.