Greatly appreciate your advice on the procedure for inspection by health officers at office premises. We have received more than 3 visits by health officers of Sepang branch to our lounge operated by an independant food operator. On such occasions, there were no formal letter provided nor prior appointment made. In today's visit, the health officer has submitted a written request for a copy of our contract with the food operator. Are we obliged to provide a copy which contains commercial terms?
Reply
1. One of the activities under Food Safety and Quality program is inspection of food premises. From the report received, the health officers (Health Office KLIA Sepang) is doing their job according to the procedure and power issued under the Food Act 1983 and Regulations 1985.
Under Food Act 1983 and Food Regulations 1985, (section 4 (1) ) an authorized officer may at any time:-
a) Enter any premises which he believes to be food premises and examine any food found therein and take any samples of such food. (section 4 (1) (a))
b) Examine any books, documents or other records found in any food premises that he believes contain any information relevant to any food to which this Act applies and make copies thereof or take extracts therefrom. (section 4 (1) (d) )
c) Demand the production of the National Registration Identity Card, the Business Registration Certificate or any other relevant document which the authorized officer may require.
d) Any owner, occupier or person in charge of any food premises entered by any authorized officer pursuant to this section (section 4 (1) (a) ), or any person found therein, who does not give to the authorized officer all reasonable assistance in his power or furnish him with all the information as he may reasonably require, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year or to fine or to both.
