The health ministry has confirmed a 7-Eleven outlet’s food warmer was self-contained and had no traces of rat infestation.
This followed a viral picture that showed a rat crouched on top of a row of sausages and chicken balls inside a food warmer, alleged to have been taken at a 7-Eleven outlet in Kelana Jaya here.
In a statement tonight, health ministry director-general Noor Hisham Abdullah said investigations were carried out immediately after the picture was posted on Facebook on Jan 2.
“The outcome of the investigation showed the glass display cabinet, as shown in the viral picture, is fully covered.
“Further inspection of the premises did not show any rat infestation,” he said.
The statement did not mention whether the outlet was fined for the offence.
The convenience store chain had earlier apologised for the incident on its Facebook and said it was an “isolated incident”.
7-Eleven Malaysia said it had certified quality assurance audits in place.
It also said regular pest control steps were taken to prevent such occurrences.
Noor Hisham said from January to November 2016, the ministry had carried out inspections on 126,086 food premises. They included special operations, conducted twice a month.
He said as a result of the inspections, 146 food premises were closed under Section 11 of the Food Act 1983 due to the presence of rats.
He said 91 compound notices were issued under the Food Act 1983 for the same reason.
The health ministry will continue to carry out inspections on food premises to ensure food safety.
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Noor Hisham said the ministry took all matters related to food safety seriously and consumers could contact the nearest state Health Department or health office.
They can also communicate through the website http://moh.spab.gov.my or Facebook for the Food Safety and Quality Division at www.facebook.com/bkkmhq if there were any complaints regarding food safety.
Original article from http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2017/01/06/rat-in-7-eleven-food-warmer-self-contained-no-infestation/