PETALING JAYA: There are better and safer ways to pack food instead of using dangerous items like nails and staples, says Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.
Responding to a hot social media topic on a habit of hawkers using nails on food packaging, the Health director-general said traders found using such methods could be fined and jailed.
“The Health Ministry would like to advise food traders not to use nails or staples to pack food as it can cause serious injuries to consumers.
“The usage of such items on food packaging should not happen.
“There are many ways to pack food that are proven to be safe and effective,” he said in a statement.
Photos of nails being used to seal food packages have gone viral on social media.
The usage of nails to seal food packages is said to be an old tradition at some eateries in Kelantan.
On Public Health Malaysia’s Facebook page, the ministry said a child who ate from one of the shops had accidentally swallowed a nail.
The child had to undergo an emergency surgery to remove the nail.
Dr Noor Hisham said food sellers caught using nails, staples or other similarly dangerous items on their food packaging could be fined up to RM10,000, jailed for two years, or both, upon conviction.
“A heavier sentence awaits the trader if the dangerous items are found in their food.
“Under Section 13 of the Food Act, those selling which contains things that are harmful towards one’s health can be fined up to RM100,000 or jailed up to 10 years,” he said.
Dr Noor Hisham said between 2019 and 2021, the ministry’s Food Safety and Quality Division found 19 samples, out of 546 that were tested, containing physical objects such as stones, plastic, hair, insects and worms.
Checks on 45,361 food premises nationwide last year found 697 outlets that had committed various offences under the Food Act and they had to be shut down.
Dr Noor Hisham said consumers who come across traders using nails to pack food could lodge a report with the state Health Department or district health office.