Difficult to stomach

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UNSUSPECTING patrons of a nasi kandar stall in Kampung Benggali, Butterworth, have been enjoying the food there over the years without realising the dishes are prepared in a dirty, dingy and dilapidated bungalow.

The ground floor of the double-storey bungalow was found to be used as a kitchen by the nasi kandar operator to prepare dishes.

It is believed that the operator has been cooking the dishes there for more than 30 years.

The operator then sells the dishes on a pushcart stall at a coffeeshop located just in front of the bungalow.

A check by health officers from the Seberang Prai Municipal Council (MPSP) and the north Seberang Prai Health Department during a raid at the premises saw pots of boiling curries on stoves which were placed on a filthy cement table.

Spot check: MPSP assistant health officer Noradzly Ramli (second left) conducting a check at a nasi kandar stall and coffeeshop during the operation in Kampung Benggali in Butterworth.

The officers were also shocked to find utensils, including chopping board, knives and basins, used in preparing the dishes, covered in dirt and grime.

There was rubbish strewn on the floor, while the uncooked meat and vegetables had flies hovering over them.

Numerous crevices on the partial wooden walls saw cats, rats and creepy crawlies making their way through.

The officers spotted leaks on the roofing and even found uncooked rice at the bottom of a dirty sink, which indicated that the rice was probably washed there.

The drains outside the building were also choked with sludge.

Health Department officers yesterday ordered the premises to be shut down for 14 days, while the council’s health officers slapped the operator with two fines totalling RM1,000 for flouting hygiene regulations.

Noradzly and health officer D. Renganathan (right) inspecting a basin of squids placed on the floor near a drain.

Customer M. Siva, 43, who had been patronising the stall, said the stall served “tasty” dishes and was shocked to find out that the dishes were prepared under such unhygienic conditions.

“I hope the operator cleans up his premises and re-opens his stall soon,” he said, noting that he had never seen the kitchen where the food was prepared before.

MPSP councillor Soon Lip Chee said those in the food business should have a moral obligation to ensure the food served to their customers was prepared in a clean and hygienic manner.

“The public is innocent and most of the time, they do not know how the food is prepared.

“We should not wait until there are cases of food poisoning before we take action to clean up such premises,” he said.

Soon said another nasi kandar outlet on the same road and a Chinese restaurant on Jalan New Ferry in Taman Mewah were also shut down for 14 days and slapped with RM500 fine each.

Another councillor Oon Neow Aun said of the total 1,074 eateries in Seberang Prai, about 66% obtained Grade C this year, compared to 92% last year in Grade C, under the council’s Eateries’ Grading System.

“There seems to be a slight improvement, but the operators must put in more effort to upgrade their level of cleanliness to obtain Grades A or B,” he said.

Currently, he said, only 19% of the eateries were under Grade A, 14% under Grade B and 1% with a Grade D.