Kuala Terengganu: The Terengganu Health Department (JKNT) has issued 148 notices, amounting to RM20,850 in compound fines, to Ramadan bazaar traders for various offences from March 2 until yesterday. Its director, Datuk Dr Kasemani Embong, said the notices were issued following inspections conducted at 3,721 Ramadan bazaar sites in the state.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the violations detected include failure to comply with food handler attire requirements, poor personal hygiene among food handlers, untrained food handlers, and the employment of workers without typhoid vaccination. Dr Kasemani noted that 64 food samples were randomly collected and are currently awaiting laboratory results.

“During Ramadan last year, 170 notices were issued, involving compound fines totaling RM17,750, despite repeated reminders to traders to adhere to food safety regulations,” Dr Kasemani stated at the state-level Food Safety Campaign in Conjunction with Op Aidilfitri 2025 at a supermarket. She highlighted that JKNT had also seized 18 food products worth RM791.49 in Op Aidilfitri, conducted at 33 business premises including supermarkets, mini markets, and grocery stores starting March 16.

She elaborated that the food products were seized as they did not comply with the packaging labelling requirements stated in the Food Regulations (PPM) 1985. Furthermore, six notices under Section 32B of the Food Act 1983 for offences that can be compounded were also issued, with a compound value of RM16,500.

“The main offence is under Regulation 14(9)(b), which is selling expired packed food, and Regulation 11(1)(j), which is not having the manufacturer’s name on the pack for imported food,” Dr Kasemani explained.