66pc rise in Sabah food premises certified under BeSS
Published on: Tue, Jul 29, 2025 Text Size: Shahelmey (second from right) presenting a recognition certificate during a walkabout at Imago's BeBAS Zone. – Information Department photo Kota Kinabalu: Sabah has recorded a significant 66.6 per cent increase in food premises certified under the Clean, Safe and Healthy (BeSS) recognition programme since the introduction of the Premis Bersih Bebas Asap (BeBAS) initiative in 2024. Deputy Chief Minister III Datuk Shahelmey Yahya (pic) said the number of BeSS-certified premises rose from 57 to 95, reflecting strong collaboration between stakeholders in ensuring food premises remain clean, safe, of high quality and smoke-free. 'From 2024, the Sabah Food Safety and Quality Division has received a surge in applications from chain restaurants and food premises statewide. 'This clearly shows the commitment from food operators to comply with stringent hygiene and safety standards. 'This effort not only boosts consumer confidence locally but also supports the growth of our food tourism sector,' he said when officiating the State-level World Food Safety Day 2025 celebration, here. Shahelmey said the World Health Organisation (WHO) reports hundreds of millions of food-borne illness cases yearly. 'In Malaysia, the 2023 National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) revealed links between dietary patterns and non-communicable diseases. 'Moreover, food poisoning remains a concern. We've also observed that many people, especially the elderly and adolescents, are still not attentive to food label reading. 'The Health Ministry (MOH) has introduced various interventions to safeguard public health and aims to shift from a sick-care to a health-care model. 'This is evident in the many impactful programmes and initiatives — certifications, recognitions, licensing and other services provided by KKM to the food sector,' he said. Shahelmey also urged consumers to play an active role in ensuring food safety. 'As consumers, we are part of the food safety chain. We must verify the accuracy of food-related information before sharing it. 'Keep yourself informed about food safety and practise simple concepts like 'Observe and Choose' and 'Look, Smell, Taste'. These are the most basic and effective ways to avoid food poisoning and ensure the food we consume is safe,' he added. Held annually on June 7, the 2025 World Food Safety Day carried the theme 'Food Safety Science in Action', highlighting the role of science in delivering safe food for all. The two-day programme also saw several eateries in Imago Shopping Mall awarded BeSS recognition plaques, acknowledging their success in meeting national food safety standards. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
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