GEORGE TOWN, July 12 — The Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) urges the Ministry of Health to rigorously enforce food safety laws in response to recent food poisoning incidents, particularly in schools. A recent case saw 99 students and teachers from a Batu Pahat secondary school fall ill after consuming canteen food. Earlier in June, a two-year-old girl and a 17-year-old boy died from food poisoning at a school program in Gombak, alongside 82 other affected individuals, highlighting the severe impact of these outbreaks.
The rise in food poisoning cases, especially in school settings, underscores a significant public health threat. Poor food-handling practices, cross-contamination, and inadequate pest control measures are critical factors contributing to these outbreaks. CAP calls for regular checks on food premises and consumer education to prevent future incidents. Consumers are also encouraged to avoid patronizing establishments with poor hygiene standards to pressure food vendors into improving their practices.
