By P. Chandra Sagaran

Thel Ipoh City Council has recently appointed its strategic partners, Syarikat Biovisma Sdn Bhd and Syarikat Tuck Soon Eco Resources (M) Sdn Bhd to collect used cooking oil from eateries under the council’s jurisdiction.

Ipoh City Mayor Datuk Rumaizi Baharin@Md Daud said until June 2024 a total of 1,600 premises including restaurants, food processing factories, school canteens, hospital cafeterias and others have contributed the used cooking oil to be recycled  into biodiesel products.

Rumaizi who officiated the city’s environmental health campaign in conjunction with World  Food Safety 2024 event here recently said in this context food establishments must comply with  grease traps guidelines.

The outlets as well as a condition must install grease traps and maintenance at their premises to tackle water pollution in drains from food leftovers, oil and  grease.

Almost 95 percent of eateries licensed by the council had installed the grease traps.

He noted a total of 70 summonses amounting to RM14,400 and warning letters had been issued by the council to operators who failed to comply with the ruling.

“We want Ipoh City to be a destination for visitors and residents to enjoy their meals at clean and safe eateries and to be proud of the city. 

” It will also help promote Visit Ipoh 2024 and Smart and Low Carbon Ipoh City 2030,”he added. 

Rumaizi also presented appreciation certificates to restaurant operators, and food factories and other eateries for cleanliness 

From January 2023 to June 2024 a total of 2,101 eateries were evaluated and graded with 312 premises given Grade ‘A’ certificates while 1,745 were certified as Grade ‘B’ premises and only 44 received Grade ‘C’ certification. 

Premises with Grade ‘A’ certificates will be considered for Halal Certification from the Perak State Islamic Religious Department.