Poor hygiene blamed for rise in foodborne illnesses
PETALING JAYA: Food safety experts warn that poor hygiene in food preparation, such as using dirty chopping boards, can contribute to the spread of foodborne illnesses, which affect over a million people globally each day.
They stress that food handlers play a vital role in preventing such outbreaks, provided hygiene protocols are strictly followed.
Universiti Putra Malaysia food safety expert Dr Noor Azira Abdul Mutalib said consistent hygiene practices among food handlers are critical to reducing the 1.6 million daily cases of foodborne diseases reported by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
'The most crucial step in reducing the global burden of foodborne illnesses starts with food handlers themselves. It's essential that they not only understand food safety protocols but also apply them consistently in their daily
operations,' she said.
She called for more rigorous and frequent audits, particularly in public food establishments, due to the potential health risks involved.
'Food safety inspections must be carried out more stringently, especially in establishments where food is prepared for immediate public consumption.'
Noor Azira added that inspection frequency could be tailored based on past hygiene performance, with stricter oversight for businesses that have previously failed to comply.
She also expressed concern over smaller vendors and roadside stalls, which often operate with limited oversight.
'Small food vendors and stalls are often more vulnerable to food safety lapses as they may not receive proper food safety training and less frequent inspections.
'Their working conditions, such as exposure to pests, pollution, limited clean water and poor waste disposal, raise contamination risks, while many staff lack proper food hygiene knowledge due to insufficient training or certification.'
While many food handlers in Malaysia understand basic hygiene principles, Noor Azira said applying them consistently remains a challenge, particularly in informal settings.
'Some food handlers often feel pressured to prepare food quickly while maintaining cleanliness, and long working hours can cause fatigue, reducing their motivation to follow proper hygiene practices.'
She said Malaysia has a solid foundation for food safety training, with the Health Ministry's Food Safety and Quality Division leading initiatives such as the free BESS (Bersih, Selamat, Sihat) certification scheme to help ensure safe food preparation.
'However, the main issue is getting food handlers to consistently apply what they've learnt. Training should be improved to cover areas such as allergen management, food fraud, digital monitoring and pest control.
'It must also cater to street vendors, cloud kitchens and home-based operators, be available in multiple languages and include regular refresher courses.'
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia public health specialist Prof Dr Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh said Malaysia largely aligns with WHO food safety standards, supported by surveillance systems, online reporting tools and training for vendors.
She said the Food Safety and Quality Division oversees national safety efforts, including monitoring foodborne illnesses and antimicrobial resistance in partnership with other agencies, academic institutions and industry players.
'These efforts include training programmes and implementation of the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point system in food service settings.
'Food and waterborne diseases, including food poisoning, are notifiable under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act. They are addressed through prevention, screening and proper management practices.'
Sharifa said foodborne illnesses in Malaysia are widespread and caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites, toxins or foreign objects in food.
Symptoms typically include diarrhoea, vomiting and fever, posing higher risks to children, the elderly, pregnant women and those with weakened immune systems.
She added that contamination does not only stem from food but could also occur through unsafe water, animal contact or poor personal hygiene.
WHO estimates that 1.6 million people globally fall ill each day due to unsafe food.
In Malaysia, foodborne illnesses remain a serious concern.
Last year, several notable outbreaks occurred, including 65 students falling ill in Kedah, two fatalities in Selangor, about 100 affected in
Johor and a typhoid outbreak involving 10 students in Kelantan.
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The Sun
3 hours ago
- The Sun
Poor hygiene blamed for rise in foodborne illnesses
PETALING JAYA: Food safety experts warn that poor hygiene in food preparation, such as using dirty chopping boards, can contribute to the spread of foodborne illnesses, which affect over a million people globally each day. They stress that food handlers play a vital role in preventing such outbreaks, provided hygiene protocols are strictly followed. Universiti Putra Malaysia food safety expert Dr Noor Azira Abdul Mutalib said consistent hygiene practices among food handlers are critical to reducing the 1.6 million daily cases of foodborne diseases reported by the World Health Organisation (WHO). 'The most crucial step in reducing the global burden of foodborne illnesses starts with food handlers themselves. It's essential that they not only understand food safety protocols but also apply them consistently in their daily operations,' she said. She called for more rigorous and frequent audits, particularly in public food establishments, due to the potential health risks involved. 'Food safety inspections must be carried out more stringently, especially in establishments where food is prepared for immediate public consumption.' Noor Azira added that inspection frequency could be tailored based on past hygiene performance, with stricter oversight for businesses that have previously failed to comply. She also expressed concern over smaller vendors and roadside stalls, which often operate with limited oversight. 'Small food vendors and stalls are often more vulnerable to food safety lapses as they may not receive proper food safety training and less frequent inspections. 'Their working conditions, such as exposure to pests, pollution, limited clean water and poor waste disposal, raise contamination risks, while many staff lack proper food hygiene knowledge due to insufficient training or certification.' While many food handlers in Malaysia understand basic hygiene principles, Noor Azira said applying them consistently remains a challenge, particularly in informal settings. 'Some food handlers often feel pressured to prepare food quickly while maintaining cleanliness, and long working hours can cause fatigue, reducing their motivation to follow proper hygiene practices.' She said Malaysia has a solid foundation for food safety training, with the Health Ministry's Food Safety and Quality Division leading initiatives such as the free BESS (Bersih, Selamat, Sihat) certification scheme to help ensure safe food preparation. 'However, the main issue is getting food handlers to consistently apply what they've learnt. Training should be improved to cover areas such as allergen management, food fraud, digital monitoring and pest control. 'It must also cater to street vendors, cloud kitchens and home-based operators, be available in multiple languages and include regular refresher courses.' Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia public health specialist Prof Dr Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh said Malaysia largely aligns with WHO food safety standards, supported by surveillance systems, online reporting tools and training for vendors. She said the Food Safety and Quality Division oversees national safety efforts, including monitoring foodborne illnesses and antimicrobial resistance in partnership with other agencies, academic institutions and industry players. 'These efforts include training programmes and implementation of the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point system in food service settings. 'Food and waterborne diseases, including food poisoning, are notifiable under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act. They are addressed through prevention, screening and proper management practices.' Sharifa said foodborne illnesses in Malaysia are widespread and caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites, toxins or foreign objects in food. Symptoms typically include diarrhoea, vomiting and fever, posing higher risks to children, the elderly, pregnant women and those with weakened immune systems. She added that contamination does not only stem from food but could also occur through unsafe water, animal contact or poor personal hygiene. WHO estimates that 1.6 million people globally fall ill each day due to unsafe food. In Malaysia, foodborne illnesses remain a serious concern. Last year, several notable outbreaks occurred, including 65 students falling ill in Kedah, two fatalities in Selangor, about 100 affected in Johor and a typhoid outbreak involving 10 students in Kelantan.
Daily Express
a day ago
- Daily Express
Make smoking, vaping Syariah offences
Published on: Sunday, June 08, 2025 Published on: Sun, Jun 08, 2025 Text Size: The government should strongly consider making smoking cigarettes or other substances associated to it like vape as part of Syariah criminal offence and prohibited for Muslim in the country. Such suggestion should be seen part of the ongoing efforts to combat and eradicate smoking and addiction within our society especially among Muslim. Advertisement Everyone is aware over the negative impact of smoking. The most common type of smoking activity involved the use of cigarettes. With the advance of modern technology, smoking activity nowadays has been transformed into modern form like electronic cigarette or vape. A cigarette is a narrow cylinder containing a combustible material, typically tobacco, that is rolled into thin paper for smoking. The harm from smoking comes from the many toxic chemicals in the natural tobacco leaf and those formed in smoke from burning tobacco. Advertisement According to many researches, about half of smokers die from a smoking-related cause. Smoking harms nearly every organ of the body. According to many studies, smoking leads most commonly to diseases affecting the heart, liver, and lungs, being a major risk factor for heart attacks, strokes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (including emphysema and chronic bronchitis), and cancer (particularly lung cancer, cancers of the larynx and mouth, and pancreatic cancer). The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that tobacco kills 8 million people each year as of 2019 and 100 million deaths over the course of the 20th century. Meanwhile, an electronic cigarette is an electronic device that simulates tobacco smoking. It consists of an atomizer, a power source such as a battery, and a container such as a cartridge or tank. Instead of smoke, the user inhales vapor. As such, using an e-cigarette is often called vaping. In 2019 and 2020, an outbreak of severe vaping lung illness occurred in the United States. The regular use of e-cigarettes has been linked with damage to the lungs, cardiovascular system as well as the brain. In a 2022 study Western researchers found that frequent inhalation of the vapors in e-cigarettes have a positive correlation with the frequency and severity of asthma and obstructive lung disease. In the same study they also found a positive correlation between the use of e-cigarettes and medical conditions such as myocardial infarctions, coronary artery disease and strokes. In regards to the brain, the vapors in e-cigarettes can cause damage to the neurons in developing brains. This can impair the decision-making process leading to more frequent impulse decisions. The rule pertaining to smoking has been made clear in Islam itself and there is also a clear fatwa (a nonbinding but authoritative legal opinion) on this issue in the country. The Fatwa Committee of the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs of Malaysia on 23 March 1995 had discussed the issue on 'Smoking from the view of Islam' and agreed to decide 'Smoking is forbidden in Islam because in it there is harm'. It been declared forbidden because it can bring harm to the smoker own health and the health of others through the smoke it generates. The habit of smoking is also wasteful from many aspects especially from financial aspect. Similar stand has also been taken for the use of vape. The ruling by the National Fatwa Council in 2015 stated that smoking electronic cigarettes or vaping is forbidden. Though Islam has clearly explained the danger of smoking and vaping through the fatwa which been produced there are still Muslims in the country which take the issue lightly. As such, drastic step needs to be taken by the government on this issue. This can be easily be done by having a clear and proper legislation on this point namely by making smoking and vaping a Syariah offence. Though currently we already have Syariah Offences Act and Enactments in the country which stipulates many Syariah crimes but nothing specific being mentioned on smoking and vaping. The only part which speak about smoking is only been stipulated under Section 15 on the offence for being disrespectful during the holy month of Ramadhan. Section 15 of the Syariah Criminal Offences (Federal Territories) Act 1997 [Act 559] for instance clearly states that 'Any person who during the hours of fasting in the month of Ramadhan (a) sells to any Muslim any food, drink, cigarette or other form of tobacco for immediate consumption during such hours; or (b) openly or in a public place is found to be eating, drinking or smoking, shall be guilty of an offence and shall on conviction be liable to a fine not exceeding one thousand ringgit or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to both. And for a second or subsequent offence to a fine not exceeding two thousand ringgit or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year or to both'. 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The Star
a day ago
- The Star
Paid less than unskilled labourers, community health workers in India go on strike
BENGALURU: Thousands of community health workers in the south Indian state of Kerala have been on strike for more than 110 days. Their demands? Better pay, reduced workload, social security and dignity. This is not the first time they have protested against work conditions, nor are they the only state's health workers in India to do so. In Kerala's capital, Thiruvananthapuram, female community health workers known as Accredited Social Health Activists (Ashas) have been in a day-and-night protest opposite the state secretariat since Feb 10. Yet four meetings with state Health Ministry officials have been inconclusive. Under the national Asha programme, every village or urban ward has a resident health worker who helps ensure people's access to vaccination, safe childbirth and seasonal epidemic checks. In Kerala, these women were on the front line of the state's famously superb Covid-19 response that earned praise from the World Health Organisation. After the devastating 2018 floods in Kerala, they were also at the forefront of preventing rampant waterborne diseases. The health workers' grievances of poor pay and lack of respect stand at odds with Kerala's highly reputed public health system, which has achieved better disease control and maternal mortality and immunisation rates than most other states. Studies credit these healthcare triumphs to decentralised governance and the community engagement by more than 26,000 grassroots health workers. The Indian government defines Asha work under a national programme as voluntary, and the workers' payment an honorarium, not a wage. The workers are paid largely by the local state governments, with each state setting its own honorarium. When the Asha programme was launched in 2005, the honorarium nationwide was 500 rupees (US$5.83) a month. In Kerala, it has been gradually increased in response to protests every few years, up to 7,000 rupees a month since 2024. This still amounts to around 230 rupees a day, only a third of Kerala's legal minimum wage for unskilled labourers, which is 700 rupees. Ashas are also eligible for up to 3,000 rupees a month in performance-based incentives – this is paid by the state and national governments in a 60:40 ratio. 'I was shocked to discover how little the front-line workers of Kerala's proactive health system are paid. It's insulting,' said Dr Gopika Swarna Bai, a community health physician from Kerala who is now doing her residency in Mumbai, where Ashas are paid 13,000 rupees a month. 'Ashas know every household. For example, they spread awareness of a mass drug administration for filariasis for weeks, bring the 100 people, find chairs and shelter for them on a fixed date for doctors like me to just go and administer injections,' Dr Gopika added, noting that government nurses and doctors could be transferred, but Ashas have 'backyard knowledge' as they stay put in a region for decades. All states have raised the honorariums over the years in response to demands and protests. Neighbouring Karnataka increased the fixed honorarium from 5,000 to 10,000 rupees in January after an eight-year campaign by health workers. The north-eastern state of Sikkim has paid Ashas 10,000 rupees a month since 2022; Puducherry in the south pays them 18,000 rupees. In West Bengal, health workers retiring at 65 years old get a one-time payout of 500,000 rupees – the same amount Kerala's Ashas want. Striking health workers in Kerala are demanding minimum wages, which would amount to 21,000 rupees a month. Bindu B., a community health worker in the Kannammoola ward of Thiruvananthapuram city, points to 'the hypocrisy of the communist-led state government that enjoys the plaudits of being people- and worker-centric leaders, but treats women workers almost like slaves'. The 51-year-old, who has been an Asha for 18 years, spoke to The Straits Times on May 30 as she was headed to the protest site, even though there was an orange alert for rainstorms that week. At least 12,000 Ashas like her have endured extreme rain and heat for over 110 days, and held dramatic protests, including a 41-day hunger strike and cutting their hair off. Some of them are now on a statewide march, spending the night under bus shelters or on school verandas as they reach out to Ashas who may not have been able to travel to the Thiruvananthapuram protest site. 'The government's response is that they don't have funds, that the central government has not transferred the budget,' said S. Mini, state vice-president of the Kerala Asha Health Workers Association, which is helming the ongoing strike. Kerala is among several states, such as Tamil Nadu and Telangana, led by opposition parties demanding a greater share of taxes from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party government at the centre. India spends a mere 1.14 per cent of its budget on public health. 'Understanding Kerala's financial situation, we asked the (Kerala) Health Minister to increase the pay for now by 100 rupees a day, so that we can get 10,000 rupees a month at least,' said Rosy Mardra, 51, an Asha who was part of the delegation that met officials, of the last meeting. 'They refused even that.' Kerala's Health Ministry has yet to respond to ST's queries. A state official, who requested anonymity, pointed ST to a recent central government study that found the state's financial health poor, ranking 15th among 28 states owing to high social welfare spending and limited revenue growth. He also argued that Kerala paid the honorariums more regularly than other states that promised more, but Ashas have refuted this claim, saying they sometimes do not get paid for over three months. Rosy, struggling to repay loans she took to send her two daughters to college, was enraged by what she called 'the government's cruel excuses'. 'Amid this financial crunch, how come the Kerala government has 100 crore (one billion) rupees to celebrate its fourth anniversary, but does not give us 100 rupees more?' she asked. The cost of living in Kerala is higher than the national average. Some estimates put average monthly expenses excluding rent at more than 27,000 rupees per month. Almost all Ashas in Kerala are from low-income families, and three-quarters are sole breadwinners while a quarter are Dalits, who are at the bottom of India's caste hierarchy, said feminist scholar J. Devika, who conducted spot surveys of striking health workers. 'Families in Kerala are kept safe by these women's cheap labour. They've clearly had enough. Without committed, financially secure Ashas, the state's health indices and disease control will collapse,' she added. Since joining the service at the age of 32, Bindu's work hours have ballooned from two hours a day, per government guidelines, to at least 12 hours a day of fieldwork and report writing. She is responsible for 950 households, and performs 100 tasks each month assigned by the national health programme. These include registering pregnancies, ensuring child immunisations, doing leprosy checks, detecting sources of waterborne diseases, and monitoring fevers or other symptoms in vulnerable populations during epidemics. Kerala has assigned her ten other responsibilities, such as conducting surveys for the local government and digitising a lot of health data. Some days, she is chlorinating wells, and other days, she is collecting diabetes data from every household. The latest task, which many Ashas told ST was a trigger for the ongoing strike, was the Kerala government's app-based statewide screening for non-communicable diseases. Launched in 2023 to detect and prevent lifestyle diseases, the Shaili app's initial phases have shown 45 per cent of the population at risk for diabetes, cancer, tuberculosis and hypertension. But Ashas alleged that having to ask 60 questions a household within tight deadlines over a glitchy app, which does not work in areas with poor data networks, made the job so onerous that it affected other tasks. 'Even as the workload grew and took on a compulsory nature, the pay remains an honorarium fit for volunteers,' social activist Shradha S. said, also a co-founder of a menstruation awareness collective in Kerala. 'The current pay is too little and too erratic, and I keep having to take loans to get by,' said Bindu, who recently took on a second job to make ends meet. After dusk, she delivers medicine for a neighbourhood pharmacy. It pays her 10,000 rupees a month. 'After my husband died a decade ago, my son had to drop out of college to work, and I married my daughter off early at 20 years to have one less mouth to feed,' she told ST. To Bindu, the strike was 'the only step left to save me from dying of exhaustion'. The strike has had a few wins, with Kerala's Health Minister, Veena George, announcing that the Ashas' monthly pay is no longer tied to the fulfilment of ten state tasks, although the fine print reveals that it is still tied to the incentives. The state has also formed a committee to investigate the need for a pay hike. But Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has stated that the government will not engage in further negotiations. As the monsoon sets in, the health workers will also have to begin awareness campaigns to prevent waterborne and mosquito-related diseases like dengue, filariasis and malaria. Cognisant of the impact of their absence on the community, and struggling without any income for three months, most Ashas have gone back to work now. But many are still making time to spend a few hours at the protest site. 'What began as a simple protest seeking fair compensation and lower workload has now turned into a cry for respect and parity,' said Rosy. Bindu has been going to the protest site and conducting her fieldwork despite requiring rest for a ligament tear. 'In my area, there is one palliative care patient with cancer; 13 senior citizens, of whom eight are on (intravenous drips); 150 children are under five years old; 14 kids are under one year (old). I know where mosquitoes breed regularly. This week, four people had a fever – I took them for testing, and two turned out positive for Covid-19.' She asked: 'Who will know people in this detail if I don't go to work? 'Why doesn't the government see us?' - The Straits Times/ANN
