A NOODLE processing factory and a soy sauce factory have been ordered to close for two weeks for operating in a dirty condition.

Penang Health Department food safety and quality division environmental health officer, Mohd Wazir Khalid, said raids conducted revealed that cleanliness at the two premises did not meet the standards set by local authorities. These included the presence of rat droppings in food processing and storage areas.

“The two factories, located at Jalan Perak and Batu Lanchang respectively, were also issued three compounds each, worth almost RM12,000.

“We also issued these factories a closure notice order under section 11 of the Food Act 1983 effective today until April 16,” he told reporters after the operation today.

Wazir said inspectors found rat droppings and cockroaches at the soybean product processing factory in Batu Lanchang, which has been in operation for the past 10 years. Barrels containing soybeans were also found in the toilet area at the factory.

He said inspection at the noodle processing factory in Jalan Perak showed it was operating in a dirty environment and the equipment used was covered in dust.

He added there was even equipment in the factory that was covered with slime and suspected that it had never been washed. – Bernama, April 2, 2022.