September 30, 2024
IPOH – A primary school canteen here has been ordered to close for 14 days after 101 pupils came down with food poisoning.
Perak Health director Dr Feisul Idzwan Mustapha said the school, located in Kinta district, was told to be closed following an inspection on Wednesday.
A compound notice was also issued to the canteen operator after an evaluation at the premises was found to be less than satisfactory.
“A risk-based evaluation at the premises is unsatisfactory with a rating of 67.9%.
“A compound notice was also issued to an offence related to the wearing of accessories while preparing food,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Dr Feisul Idzwan said on Wednesday, the department received a notification from the school about the food poisoning incident.
He said of the 1,054 people who were exposed, 101 were pupils, while the others included teachers and school support staff.
“One pupil was warded at the Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun paediatric ward, while 62 more received outpatient treatment and others showed light symptoms.
“We first received a report about five pupils experiencing diarrhoea, vomiting, stomach ache and fever, all who received treatment at two health facilities here,” he said, adding the pupils are all in stable condition.
The department has sent 10 clinical samples, five environmental samples and three swab samples taken from the food operator to a laboratory to be analysed, he said.
“Based on our initial investigation, it is suspected that the cause for the food poisoning was from a chocolate drink and fried chicken dish that were prepared in the school canteen kitchen,” he said.
Dr Feisul Idzwan said the public is advised to always have a habit of practising food safety.
“They should look, smell and taste the food before consuming it.
“All food handlers are advised to adhere to the Food Act and Food Hygiene Regulations to prevent incidences of food poisoning,” he added.