Key Update

Authorities in Malaysia have ordered a restaurant in Seremban to close after a viral video showed a worker washing leftover cooked food with the intention of serving it again, raising serious food safety concerns.

Incident Caught on Camera

According to media reports, the incident occurred shortly after midnight on February 3, when a passerby noticed a staff member rinsing cooked chicken, mutton, and bean curd behind the restaurant. When questioned, the worker admitted that the food would be recooked and reused the following day. The video quickly circulated online, triggering widespread public outrage over hygiene practices.

Health Department Orders Closure

The Negeri Sembilan Health Department launched an investigation immediately after the video went viral and ordered the restaurant to shut for 14 days under Section 11 of Malaysia’s Food Act 1983. The law allows authorities to close food premises that pose a risk to public health. The officials fined the restaurant owner RM 750 (approximately ₹13,000) for failing to comply with food safety standards. Health officers will conduct a follow-up inspection during the closure period to verify whether corrective measures have been properly implemented.

Authorities Warn of Food Safety Risks

Health officials warned that washing and reusing cooked leftovers does not make food safe. Such practices can lead to food poisoning and serious health hazards, as rinsing does not eliminate harmful bacteria. The restaurant, located inside Seremban’s Palm Mall and known for serving nasi kandar, has come under heightened scrutiny.

Calls for Stronger Food Safety Enforcement

The incident has sparked a wider debate on food hygiene enforcement in Malaysia. Consumer groups have linked such practices to cost-cutting measures and have called for stricter monitoring and enforcement to prevent similar food safety violations in the future.

Source: NDTV