50 Percent of Food Premises in Ipoh Achieve Grade A Rating
By Zaki Salleh
Photo: MBI
IPOH: Rating food premises such as restaurants and cafes in this city is crucial, not only for ensuring cleanliness but also for establishing Ipoh as a gastronomic paradise for tourists.
As of June, 953 or about 30% of the 3,200 food premises in the city have achieved Grade A certification.
Another 2,203 (69%) received Grade B certification, while the remaining 44 (1%) were rated Grade C.
The Grade A certification is valid for two years from the issuance date.
Owners of premises with Grade B certification can apply for an upgrade through the Ipoh City Council’s Environmental Health Department.
Mayor Ipoh Datuk Rumaizi Baharin said that evaluators will reassess the premises to ensure they meet the requirements and scoring criteria for a Grade A certificate.
He mentioned that the Grade A certification criteria include the cleanliness of the premises and toilets, along with several documentation requirements.
These include anti-typhoid injection cards for all food handlers, copies of food handler course certificates, the installation of oil traps, and pest control documentation.
Premises with a Grade A rating will ensure a clean environment and safe, high-quality food preparation.
“This will boost the gastronomic industry with the influx of local and international tourists,” he said.
Hence, food establishment operators can progress alongside Ipoh’s development in line with the city’s target to become Malaysia’s main tourism city by 2025.
This is also part of the Ipoh City Council’s early preparations to welcome tourists from within and outside the country in anticipation of Visit Malaysia Year 2026.
Collaboration from all food establishment operators/owners is essential to achieve the target of at least 50% of the 3,200 food premises obtaining Grade A certification by 2026.
