dirty ice factory

SHAH ALAM - The Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH) calls on the public to report any ice factory operating without serious hygiene.

Health Director-General Datuk Dr. Noor Hisham Abdullah, to facilitate it to monitor and take action against the premises.

"We noted the Sinar Harian newspaper report on Oct 10 and 11 on ice claims sold in the market were dirty and feared could affect consumers' health.

"We would like to emphasize under Regulation 394A, Food Regulations 1985 that all ice plants need to be licensed by the MOH and any unlicensed ice factory will be subjected to enforcement action," he said in a statement today.

In this case, he explained, the owners of ice plants operating without a license from MOH can be fined not more than RM5,000 or imprisonment not exceeding two years.

It is learned that up to now, there are 118 licensed ice plants with MOH nationwide while 21 ice factories are still in the process of license approval.

"The MOH is also conducting regular monitoring of ice plants operating in the country to ensure ice manufacturers comply with the rules set.

"Among the important things that are being checked and should be followed by ice plant operators are that there is no on-premises animal, clean equipment, clean water resources, clean ice handling practices and food operators who get an anti-typhoid injection," he said.

In 2015, a total of 304 inspections on ice plants were conducted and 17 ice factories were enforced.

Meanwhile, in 2016 up to August, 225 inspections on ice plants were conducted and 25 ice factories were enforced.

Consumers who have information on ice plants operating in dirty conditions may report with the location information and the name of the plant concerned to MOH through the District Health Office (PKD) or the nearest Health Department (JKN).