KUALA TERENGGANU - The Terengganu State Health Department (JKNT) has issued five compound notices totalling RM17,000 to owners of premises for selling food that has passed its expiration date and damaged packaging.
Its director Datuk Dr Kasemani Embong said the offences were detected during a labeling inspection operation in conjunction with the upcoming Hari Raya Aidilfitri at food premises such as the supermarket, mini market and grocery shop on April 10.
She said in the operation which was carried out for six days, a total of 21 premises have been inspected and 4,343 products were checked.
"Among the offences were the sale of rusted, dented or bulging canned goods as well as expired goods.
"We issued a compound under the Food Regulations 1985 and seized a total of 185 products worth more than RM1,000," she said after conducting an inspection at a supermarket during the operation on Sunday.
Kasemani said the operations were done to ensure all food products were sold in the market according to the food labelling and packaging aspects as provided under the Food Act 1983 and the Food Regulations 1985.
She asked the public to be cautious in buying food sold with promotional prices to avoid buying expired or damaged products.
"During the festive season, there would be sales of hampers, so make sure to check the expiry date on the product and check if the packaging is still in good condition and not dented, bulging or rusted.
"The public is urged to purchase products with safety assurance logos such as the Safe Food for Industry certificate (Mesti), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) recognition and Halal certificates," she said.