March 3, 2021 @ 4:13pm
KOTA KINABALU: Over 70 machines selling drinking water in the city here, have been found to be operating without a licence from the Health Ministry.

Sabah Community Development and People's Being Minister Shahelmy Yahya, who is also in charge of state health, said the finding was based on an operation conducted by the Ministry and District Health Department this morning.

The first operation saw officials inspecting about 100 machines.

The operation was an effort to enforce licensing on those operating such machines, as required under the Food Regulations 1985. The need for a licence was approved in 2012.

"When the Act was approved, many efforts and initiatives were carried out to ensure all machines selling drinking water obtained valid licences before operating," Shahelmy told reporters after the operation.

"Continuous awareness initiatives were carried out over the period of eight years. However, until today, of the 100 machines inspected, only 27 have a licence. Over 70 others have no licence from the Ministry," he added.

Shahelmy said the authorities would go all out to enforce the regulation, noting machines without a licence would be confiscated.

He stressed having a licence could ensure the quality of drinking water sold at the machines, noting it is everyone's responsibility to protect consumers' health.

Shahelmy also reminded the people to become a responsible citizens and play a role in breaking the Covid-19 chain of infection during the conditional movement control order.

Source: https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2021/03/670680/more-70-water-vending-machines-kk-unlicensed