Sibu Conducts Surprise Inspections on 17 Restaurants, 10 Found to Have Hygiene Issues

The Sibu Municipal Council recently carried out joint surprise inspections on several restaurants in the city, discovering that 10 out of the 17 inspected establishments had hygiene issues, with a violation rate of nearly 60%. One restaurant was fined on the spot for dumping food scraps directly into a drain.

Joint Action by Multiple Departments Covering Major Commercial Areas The inspection was jointly conducted by the council's Environmental and Public Health Service, Health, and Enforcement teams, covering major commercial areas such as Kosawee Road, Lanbin Street, Merdeka Street, Huang Naichang Road, and Kampung Aip Road.

Major Violations Found:

1.Dishware and Kitchenware Issues: Eight restaurants were warned for using outdated, damaged, or rusted kitchenware and dishware, which were confiscated.

2.Use of Plastic Straws: One restaurant was warned for using plastic straws in violation of regulations.

3.Food Waste Disposal: One restaurant was fined for directly disposing of food waste into a drainage ditch.

Other Hygiene Violations: The inspection also revealed multiple hygiene issues:

1.Poor cleanliness of the restaurant premises, with clutter and disorganization.

2.Lack of or damaged oil filtration equipment.

3.Absence of food waste filters.

4.Substandard restroom facilities (e.g., dirty exhaust fans, toilets without covers).

5.Improper food storage (e.g., uncovered food, mixing with cleaning agents).

6.Failure to implement pest control measures.

7.Illegal keeping of pets in the restaurant.

The municipal council has instructed the violating businesses to make corrections within a specified period, requiring them to improve their facilities and management in strict accordance with hygiene regulations. Follow-up inspections will be carried out to ensure that corrective actions have been properly implemented.