When eating out, one of the most crucial things that we often consider beyond price and taste, is cleanliness. And rightfully so, when one considers the health implications of consuming improperly prepared food, such as when one woman in Kuantan purchased a batch of curry puffs that have gone completely mouldy.
This time around, local newspaper Oriental Daily reports that as many as 60 students from MRSM Gerik suffered from food poisoning after consuming food that was prepared with ingredients that had gone bad.
60 students from MRSM Gerik suffer food poisoning
The 60 students that were affected had to seek medical treatment for their ailments, with initial investigations into the matter pointing towards the consumption of an ayam masak merah dish that was prepared for their iftar meal. All victims suffered from a variety of symptoms that included vomiting, diarrhea, headaches and stomach pains, and sought treatment from a mobile medical facility.
Source: Berita Harian
Perak State Executive Councillor for Human Resources, Health, Indian Community Affairs, and Integration, A. Sivanesan revealed that the Hulu Perak District Health Office was notified by a warden on duty on Monday at around 11:30am regarding the widespread food poisoning outbreak at the institution.
Source allegedly traced back to a dish of ayam masak merah
The Perak State Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre (CPRC) was also notified of the incident at around 11:38am the next day. Following that, interviews with the affected students were conducted and they mentioned that the chicken they ate was emitting a foul smell when it was served.
Source: Maggi
“This is indication that the chicken may have gone bad”, said A. Sivanesan.
He then emphasised that a warning was issued against another MRSM in the same state back in 2018, saying that if the food vendors repeat the same mistake, the contract with the particular vendor would be terminated immediately. 10 samples have been taken from the canteen kitchen and an order was issued to close the canteen kitchen for 3 days.
However, Sivanesan further implied that it is not within his authority to terminate the contract but as an executive councillor, he will be requesting for immediate action to be taken by the Department of Education.
Source: Oriental Daily
“I will ask for them to bring those who are responsible to court as a closure for three days is not enough. I will also make a move to Gersik these few days for a visit and then present it during our next executive council meeting”, he said.
Sivanesan then told local newspaper Berita Harian that his department will not compromise on food poisoning issues involving vendors who repeatedly make mistakes.
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Also read: Kuantan woman bought curry puffs from Ramadan bazaar, discovers it contained mould after a bite
