The Terengganu Health Department found 180 food handlers in the Kuala Berang Ramadan bazaar who have not taken the compulsory anti-typhoid injections and did not go for food handling courses.

Its director, Dr Mohammad Omar said checks on 130 premises on Saturday also found that 30 premises were maintained only moderately in terms of hygiene.

“Food handlers who do not take these jabs and who do not attend the course to handle food correctly will also not know how to maintain cleanliness or how to handle the raw food,” he told reporters after the launch of the Kemaman District level Food Hygiene and Safety Campaign.

Mohammad said inspections by the Food Safety and Quality Unit of the Hulu Terengganu District Health Centre also found that in terms of hygiene, 30 premises scored 50% to 75%, which is moderate, while 100 premises were in a good condition scoring 75% and above.

“We also took a sample of 16 high risk food, including ‘kuih’ that contained santan and chicken, to be analysed in the laboratory.

“So far we have not found any spoiled food as alleged by people on the social media but we will continue with follow-up inspections,” he said.