EFFORT TO ENSURE FOOD SAFETY AT SCHOOL

VISIT....Deputy Health Minister, Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin and the State Health Director, Datuk Dr Yusof Ibrahim visiting booths at the Food Safety Carnival.

By : REBECCA CHONG

THIRTY nine food poisoning cases involving 849 pupils in 16 schools were recorded between January and October this year, according to Deputy Health Minister Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin.

She added that 944 students came down with food poisoning in 45 reported cases last year. In 2010 there were 46 cases involving 888 students. Disclosing this at the Sabah Food Safety Carnival at Suria Sabah on the 4th November recently, Rosnah said efforts are being made to promote food safety and prevent food poisoning.

Among the efforts introduced to ensure food safety is a mechanism that involves a thorough food chain inspection from raw material, processing premises, distribution centres to transportation vehicles.

She added that the 1983 Food Act is under regular review and amendments to meet technological advancement and international standards.

She said as far as the law is concerned the 2009 Food Hygiene Regulations already has  stringent requirements on food handlers to ensure food safety through training, medical check-up and vaccinations.

Also among the requirements are Food Handling Courses for food handlers run by Food Handler Training Schools recognised by the Malaysian Ministry of Health. The rest is simply maintaining good hygiene.

To further encourage food safety, the Carnival featured a Best Canteen in Sabah Award, adding that a clean canteen is defined by a good surrounding and the food seller's keeping a record of food processing from raw materials used in food preparation and finally serving to the customers.

"The food safety effort needs support from all quarters in order to achieve positive result, which calls for continuous attitude change and an awareness of the need to enhance competitiveness in the food business," she said.

Meanwhile, State Health Director Datuk Dr Yusof Ibrahim said his department is also continuing its effort to prevent food poisoning through the Food Safety and Quality Division.

A hygiene awareness program targeting schoolchildren and teachers called "Squad Germ Buster" was introduced in several primary schools across Sabah to do just that.

He added that school canteens were given guidelines and advice on cleanliness improvement based on the 1983 Food Act and its regulations.

At the Carnival, Rosnah presented the best primary school canteen award to SJKC Sin Hua Tawau, followed by SJKC Tai Tong Sandakan and SK Mawar Sandakan.

SJKC Yuk Yong Keningau bagged the rural primary school canteen category, followed by SK Pekan II Kudat and SK Masolok Kota Marudu in second and third places respectively.

For the Jury Special Awards, SK Pekan II won the Canteen Operator and Canteen Teacher awards while SJKC Tai Tong Sandakan won the Innovative Canteen and SK Ladang Binua won best Parent Teacher Involvement Award. (Insight Sabah)

AWARD... Deputy Health Minister Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin presenting the Jury Special Award to SK Pekan II Kudat representative.