How to manage food waste?

Food waste in kitchen is one of the reason that attract pests. pests such as rats, cockroaches and flies can cause illness and food poisoning.  Therefore, we should clean the cooking area after every cooking.

Food business owners should put food safety and hygiene as the first priority before working on the profit of the business.  Otherwise, they will be big impact on their business.  For example, when customer found some "freebies" on the food, they would have bad impression and might "help to promote the restaurant for FREE".  More serious is when customers suffer from food poisoning and reported to Health department, the premise would be inspected and the business owner might be ordered to close the business. 

The very first step to avoid pest is to make sure all areas in the premise is clean and free from food, leftover food or food waste.  Secondly, make sure there is no holes in the closed area that enable mouse to insert from outside.  Thirdly, make sure the "dead spaces" in the food area (eg. space under the freezers, cabinet etc) could be accessed and cleaned.          

WARNING !!. 

In the premises category under Rule 11 (1) (a), together with Rule 16 (1) of the Food hygiene Regulations 2009, Food business owner may be compounded up to RM 2,500 if they fails to ensure the premises are free from any pests.

Credit: Food Safety & Quality Division, Labuan Federal Territory Health department