Blitz against dirty eateries in Penang

PENANG (Nov 19): The Pearl of the Orient is world famous for superb hawker food but it looks like many eateries here are getting the F grade for cleanliness.

According to a report by The Star daily, the state Health Department found out there were repeat offenders among those selling food, when a raid under its “Penang Sihat operation” in Bayan Lepas revealed that outlets previously slapped with poor hygiene ratings still hosted “cockroaches crawling between serving plates, filthy cooking utensils and rat droppings”.

It was reported that two food courts and 16 food stalls at Lintang Bayan Lepas 2 were forced to close for two weeks owing to their unsihat ways.

Up to 14 summonses and compounds totalling RM4,300 for “unhygienic practices” were issued.

And horror of horrors, ketum and cough syrup were found at one of the stalls that were raided by the department.

Ketum is used as a painkiller and “energy booster” but constant use can lead to abuse and addiction.