5 POWERFUL REASONS YOUR FOOD HANDLES MUST TAKE THE FOOD HANDLER COURSE (FHC) — OR YOUR BUSINESS RISKS RM10,000 FINE

Hiring the right people for your food business is important — good attitude, hardworking, responsible, and able to work long hours. But even the best staff cannot protect your business if they lack proper food safety knowledge.

That’s why the Food Handler Course (FHC) is not just a “nice to have”.
It is the first and most essential training every food handler in Malaysia must take.

Here are 5 powerful reasons why your team must complete FHC — and how this one course can protect your business, your customers, and your reputation.

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1. It’s the Law: Avoid RM10,000 Fine or Imprisonment

According to Regulation 30, Food Hygiene Regulations 2009, every food handler in Malaysia must:

• Attend a Food Handler Course (FHC)
• Obtain the attendance certificate before starting work

Failing to do so may result in:

• ❌ Fine not exceeding RM10,000, or
• ❌ Imprisonment up to 2 years

Besides meeting legal requirements, FHC teaches staff the exact hygiene practices that Health Inspectors check during premise inspections.

For example, food handlers will learn:

• Food must be stored 20 cm above the floor and 15 cm away from the wall

Ignoring simple requirements like this can cause the business owner to be fined during inspection — something easily avoided when staff are properly trained.

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2. Prevent Food Poisoning & Protect Your Customers

Food handlers are the first line of defence against food contamination.

In FHC, they learn essential practices such as:

• Wearing proper attire
• Keeping fingernails short
• Avoiding accessories
• Practising the 7-step handwashing method
• Not handling food when sick
• Preventing cross-contamination
• Safe food storage & temperature control

When these habits become part of daily routine, the risk of food poisoning drops dramatically.

This doesn’t just protect customers —
it protects your business from complaints, bad reviews, and legal consequences.

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3. Elevate Your Business Image & Build Customer Trust

Your food handlers represent your brand — whether they work:

• On stage (dining area), or
• Backstage (kitchen/food preparation area)

Trained food handlers create a positive impression:

• They look professional
• They work cleanly
• They follow proper hygiene procedures
• They handle food confidently

Customers notice these things.

o   A clean, well-organised environment naturally attracts repeat customers and retains loyal ones.

o   Your business reputation grows when customers feel safe eating your food.

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4. Essential for Food Safety Certifications & Business Licenses

FHC certificates are required for many applications in Malaysia’s food industry, including:

• Homebased Food (home-based food business)
• BeSS (restaurant)
• Trust MyCatering (catering)
• MeSTI (Food Processors)
• GMP (Food Processors)
• HACCP (Food Processors)
• Export Establishment (Food Processors)
• School canteen tender
• Restaurant / cafeteria business licence

Auditors and municipal officers will check every staff member’s certificate.
Missing FHC certificates can delay approval or cause the application to fail.

In other words:
FHC is not optional —
it is a mandatory document for almost all food business approvals in Malaysia.

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5. FHC as a Recruitment Screening Tool (Real Case Story)

Here is a true story from one of my loyal clients.

He hired a new staff member who looked promising:
smart, polite, and hardworking.

He sent the new recruit to my FHC class.

The next day, the boss realised something was wrong:

Despite learning the correct food handling practices,
the new staff did the opposite:

• Wore accessories
• Applied nail polish
• Kept long fingernails
• Ignored hygiene instructions

The boss thought I taught the wrong things — so I personally “interviewed” the staff again.
She admitted she understood everything taught in class,
but still decided not to follow proper hygiene.

Even after reminders, she continued the same behaviour.

Eventually, the boss terminated her employment.

The lesson?

Requesting staff to attend FHC can reveal:

• Their true attitude
• Their willingness to follow rules
• Their suitability for long-term employment

It’s better to find out early than after confirmation.

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FHC Certificate: A Lifetime Licence in the Food Industry

The FHC certificate is:

• Valid for life
• Accepted nationwide
• Recognised by Health departments
• As important as your “IC” in the food industry

No renewal required.
One course, lifelong use.

So why not get certified?

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Ready to Get Certified? Join Our Next Food Handler Course (FHC)

📍 Available: online via Zoom & offline
👨‍🍳 Suitable for all food handlers, business owners & new recruits
💰 Fee: RM50 per person / RM52 per person (HRD Corp claimable)
⏱️ 3 hours only 4 hours (HRD Corp)

👉 Click here to register: https://mylink.la/jzsolution18

📱 WhatsApp us for more info: 013 836 5247

IS YOUR FOOD PACKAGING MISSING THIS STICKER? DISCOVER MALAYSIA’S HOME-BASED FOOD LISTING

Have you ever noticed a round sticker on some food packages that reads “Home-based Food”? That’s not just any sticker — it’s a mark of official recognition by the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH) under its Home-based Food Listing initiative.  In Malaysia, more and more people are running small food businesses from home — baking cookies, making cakes, preparing festive dishes, frozen meals, sauces, and even bento boxes — and selling them via platforms like social media, WhatsApp, Xiaohongshu (RED), or Shopee.  But did you know that even small-scale, home-based food sellers can gain official recognition from the Ministry of Health?

Let me explain what this certification is, how it benefits you, and what you need to apply.

What is the Home-based Food Listing?

The Home-based Food Listing is a voluntary data registration initiative launched by the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH).  It’s designed for individuals who prepare and sell food from their home kitchens — including cookies, cakes, pastries, condiments, frozen items, bento meals, and other processed food.  It’s not a license or mandatory permit, but an official recognition that your home-based food business operates under safe and hygienic practices.  Once approved, you're allowed to affix a special “Home-based Food Listing” sticker on your product packaging. Your business will also be registered in MOH’s listing database.

Why Should You Apply?

Though entirely free of charge, this certification brings real advantages:

1. ✅ Ensures Food Safety & Hygiene

Applicants would understand and implement basic food handling practices, helping reduce the risks of food contamination or foodborne illness.

2. ✅ Builds Consumer Trust

When customers see the MOH-certified sticker on your product, they feel safer and more confident purchasing — especially important when selling online or through social media.

3. ✅ Prepares You for Future Certifications (MeSTI, GMP, HACCP)

This listing serves as a stepping stone toward further food safety certifications like MeSTI, GMP, or HACCP.  Businesses that begin with Home-based Food Listing are more prepared when scaling up, because they’ve already adopted the basic requirements — similar to how MeSTI-ready companies can transition to HACCP more easily.

4. ✅ Helps You Qualify for Government & Corporate Procurement

To participate in events, food fairs, or supply chains involving schools, hospitals, and corporate cafeterias — having this certification is often an entry-level requirement.

What Do You Need to Apply?

To be eligible, you’ll need the following:

✅ Registration in the FOSIM system (MOH’s food safety platform)

✅ Compliance with the Home-based Food Guidelines

✅ Proper food labeling

✅ Certificate of Completion from a Food Handler Training Course

✅ Valid Typhoid Vaccination Certificate

📣 I’m currently developing an online course to guide home-based food sellers through the Home-based Food Listing application process — step by step!

🧠 This course will help you:

✅ to prepare all required documents

✅ to recap the basic practices of food handlings 

✅ to learn the process flow towards gaining the listing

✅ to create compliant food labels

📌 Format: Online + Guided Support

📌 Suitable for: All home-based food producers looking to apply

📌 Course Fee: Special introductory price (to be announced)

🔔 Interested?

💬 Comment “Interested” or DM me, and I’ll notify you as soon as registration opens.

Feel free to share this blog with your fellow home-based food sellers — let’s raise the standard of home food businesses in Malaysia, together.

Chung (Mr)

FHC Trainer

OUR UPDATED CERTIFICATION

🧼🔥 HOW ONE CATERING BUSINESS BOOSTED ITS REPUTATION WITH FOOD SAFETY COURSE – YOU CAN TOO!

A growing catering business had everything going for them: skilled chefs, creative menus, and steady bookings. But then came a game-changing moment — a corporate client asked for proof of food safety training. That’s when they realized they were missing a critical piece of the puzzle: formal certification.

To stay competitive and build trust, the team enrolled in the [Food Safety and Hygiene in the Catering Industry] online course.

What started as a compliance task quickly turned into a valuable learning experience.
They learned about:

• 🍲 Food contamination and spoilage — causes, prevention, and control methods
• 🤢 Food-borne illnesses — common sources and how to avoid them
• 🧤 Responsibilities of every food handler — what every team member must know

With this knowledge, their confidence — and their client satisfaction — skyrocketed. Today, food safety is a core part of their brand promise.

And here’s the best part:
If your team has already taken the Food Handlers Training Course, this course is the perfect refresher and booster. It deepens their understanding of food safety and hygiene, with engaging video clips that make learning enjoyable.

✅ Plus, there’s a self-assessment at the end!
I scored 84% on mine — how about you? Drop your score in the comments!

🎓 The course is free to study, and you can choose to purchase a certificate if you need one for job applications or business licensing.

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📌 Ready to boost your team’s professionalism and credibility?
👉 Click Alison
Search: Food Safety and Hygiene in the Catering Industry

🚀 Take the course for free on Alison today — and let your reputation speak for itself.

 

PREMISE REGISTRATION : YOUR COMPLETE GUIDE FOR 2025

As 2025 begins, are you ready to embark on a new chapter in your life? Many of us have set ambitious goals for our businesses, planned strategies, and are gearing up to turn plans into actions. While you're focused on achieving these goals, it’s crucial to ensure all necessary documents are in place—especially those required by health authorities when they visit your premises.

One critical document is the Premise Registration. In Malay, it is known as Pendaftaran Premis. This is a mandatory requirement for food premise owners or managers. You need to register your premise on the Food Safety Information System of Malaysia (FOSIM). Even if you’ve done this before, it’s a good idea to check if your registration is still valid. If you haven’t registered yet, don’t worry! Here’s a straightforward guide to help you get started.

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What You Need Before Registering

Prepare the following documents in softcopy format (preferably PDF):

• Trading license
• SSM document or other related business documents
• Front side of the trading license holder’s IC (identity card)

Additionally, you’ll need:

• An email address
• A password for your FOSIM account

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Step 1: Register as a FOSIM User

1. Open your browser, search for “FOSIM,” and access the official website: https://fosim.moh.gov.my.
2. Click on DAFTAR to register as a new user.
3. Upload a photocopy of your IC.
4. Verify your name, IC number, and email address. Your email address will serve as your FOSIM ID.
5. Remember your email and password, as you’ll need them to access your FOSIM account.

Tip: Many users forget which email they used for registration. Keep a record to avoid this issue.

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Step 2: Register Your Food Business

1. Log in to your FOSIM account.
2. Enter your business details, such as:
• Business name
• Address
• Contact number
• Person-in-charge (PIC)
• Trading license or SSM number
3. Upload the necessary business documents as required.

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Step 3: Register Your Food Premise

1. Navigate to the Food Premise Registration section.
2. Enter the following details:
• Premise address
• Contact number
• Person-in-charge (PIC)
• Number of food handlers
3. If your premise address is the same as your company address, you can select it from the dropdown list.
4. Complete all required fields and click Submit.

The system will generate two versions of the premise registration slip (in English and Malay). Save the PDF copy on your computer, print it on A4 paper, frame it, and display it prominently in your office or cashier area.

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Important Notes

• Validity: The premise registration is valid for three years.
• Renewal: As the expiry date approaches, log in to your FOSIM account to renew the registration slip. You’ll receive an updated version.
• Cost: Registration is FREE.
• Penalties: Failing to register could result in a fine of up to RM10,000.

Detailed manuals are available on the FOSIM website to guide you through the registration process.

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By meeting the requirements outlined in the Food Regulations 2009, you’ll enjoy peace of mind and can focus on growing your food business. Premise registration is a vital step toward compliance. 

If you encounter any difficulties during the registration process or need assistance, feel free to reach out to me. I’m here to help!

 

Jacky Chung

www.mylink.la/jzsolution18