Food operators are reminded not to use newspapers to cover or wrap food, or to absorb oil from fried food

Food operators are reminded not to use newspapers to cover or wrap food, or to absorb oil from fried food, Utusan Malaysia reports today.

Director-general of Health Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said there were food operators who still failed to abide by the directive in violation of Regulation 35 and 36 of the Food Hygiene Regulations 2009.

Noor Hisham said the regulations stipulated that appliances and containers used for food could not come into contact with contaminated items.

He said operators must also ensure that the preparation, packing or serving of food was free from contamination.

“The handler must protect the food and drinks from contamination and prevent them from becoming spoiled.

“The food wrappers must also be non-toxic and strong enough to withstand tears or leaks,” he was quoted as saying.

He said newspapers could only be used as a second layer of wrapping, while the first layer must be made out of materials, such as plastic or banana leaves.

“Food operators must use methods that would prevent the ink from the newspapers contaminating the packed food,” Noor Hisham was quoted as saying.

He said consumers could lodge complaints against food operators at the nearest state health departments and health district offices.

On December 7, Bernama reported that the Perlis government would act against any food operator who used printed paper for packing food starting next month.

State health committee chairman, Jafperi Othman said printed paper was found to contain harmful chemicals that could cause cancer. 

“Carcinogens in the ink can affect a person’s digestive system, and increase toxicity in the body,” he was quoted as saying. – December 25, 2015.