SANDAKAN: The Sandakan District Health Office issued eight notices under Section 32B of the Food Act during the first week of its Ops Bazar Ramadan 2026 inspections across the district.
Sandakan District Health Officer Dr Jackson Wong said the notices were issued for a range of violations, including food handlers failing to obtain anti-typhoid vaccinations from medical practitioners, not wearing personal protective equipment such as aprons and proper footwear and keeping long or dirty fingernails while handling food.
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Additional notices were issued against chilled meat vendors found to be storing meat outside the required temperature range of -1°C to 10°C.
“Inspections at the bazaar are ongoing and we urge all food handlers not to be complacent or negligent in maintaining the cleanliness and safety of food sold to the public,” Dr Jackson told reporters while leading the second-week Ops Bazar Ramadan inspection at Bazar Ramadan Bataras here on Tuesday.
Inspections focused on several key areas, including stall hygiene and the cleanliness of the bazaar environment, as well as personal hygiene practices among food handlers particularly the wearing of aprons, head coverings and safe food handling procedures.
Inspectors also checked typhoid vaccination status, food handler training certificates, food storage methods and appropriate temperature controls.
Dr Jackson said that non-compliance with legal provisions would result in enforcement action, including notices, compounds, or premises closure where there is a risk to public health.
The Ops Bazar Ramadan is an annual monitoring and enforcement exercise carried out by the Ministry of Health through district health offices to ensure food safety and hygiene standards are upheld throughout the Ramadan month.
The operation is conducted in accordance with the Food Act 1983 and the Food Hygiene Regulations 2009.
Dr Jackson noted that the Sandakan District Health Office, in collaboration with Sandakan Municipal Council, had already conducted a briefing for all Ramadan bazaar traders from Feb 10 - 12 specifically on their responsibilities in complying with food safety regulations.
“There is therefore no excuse for compound notices not to be issued to food handlers who defy these regulations,” he said.
He said food safety is not solely the responsibility of the authorities, but a shared responsibility between traders and consumers.
Traders are urged to prioritise cleanliness and comply with all legal requirements, while consumers are encouraged to choose clean stalls, ensure purchased food is protected from contamination and practise safe food storage after buying.
The inspections, carried out by more than 30 health enforcement officers, will continue through to the fourth week of Ramadan to ensure all food and beverages sold are safe for public consumption.
