By P. Chandra Sagaran
(Pix courtesy of Ipoh City Council)
Directives to follow rules and regulations in handling food in school canteens are not up to mark and ignored.
Ipoh City Mayor Datuk Rumaizi Baharin@Md Daud said:
“Although the conditions had been in place, it is not adhered to by food handlers and canteen operators.
“Among the conditions they are required to wear apron,caps,shoes and they must avoid coming in contact with the food and use clean utensils in cooking and preparing food.
“Knowledge of cleanliness and food safety by school canteen operators and personal hygiene need to be enhanced,” he added.
Rumaizi was speaking at the launch of the school environment cleanliness and health campaign at the Ipoh City Council level at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Raja Chulan here.
A used cooking oil campaign was launched at the same venue.
Food and handlers should be aware and knowledgeable about clean premises and places of food preparation which should be the basic requirements to recruit them for the jobs.
Rumaizi stressed among the objectives of the campaign is to enhance and create greater awareness on food safety and educate the students to select and consume clean and healthy food for their own safety.
He also noted the recycle campaign is to encourage students in all schools under the council’s jurisdiction to participate in such activity to preserve the environment.
It will also create awareness among them that there is cash for recycle items.(trash for cash).
Representatives from Syarikat Edsha Solutions Sdn Bhd, Syarikat Biovisma Sdn Bhd and Syarikat Asean Regions Tetrapak (M) Sdn Bhd were also present at the event.