
Restaurant closed for washing unsold food and posing health risks
Restaurant closed for washing unsold food and posing health risks
- A video surfaced showing a worker at a Malaysian restaurant washing leftover food for reuse.
- The Negeri Sembilan Health Department investigated the incident and issued a two-week closure order.
- This action aims to protect public health and ensure compliance with food safety standards.
Story
In Seremban, Malaysia, a restaurant has been ordered to close for two weeks after a worker was filmed washing unsold food to be reused for serving. The incident came to light on February 3, 2026, when a social media user posted a video showing a staff member rinsing leftover cooked food, including chicken, mutton, and bean curd. Following the video's release, the Negeri Sembilan Health Department launched an immediate investigation into the allegations of unhygienic practices within the establishment. The health department expressed serious concerns regarding the potential health risks associated with the restaurant's operation. They highlighted the importance of ensuring that food served to the public is safe for consumption, adhering strictly to hygiene and food safety regulations. In consequence of the investigation, they placed a closure order under Malaysia's Food Act 1983, which empowers health officials to shut down food establishments posing a health risk. Health officials explained that the closure would last up to 14 days, allowing the restaurant management time to address the identified deficiencies concerning food hygiene. The state health director, Dr. Zuraida Mohamed, reinforced that actions are being taken to rectify the situation after being alerted to the unacceptable practices highlighted by the viral video. The community's reaction to the incident has been one of outrage, with many voicing their disapproval of the worker's actions and emphasizing the risk posed to public health. The health department utilized this opportunity to alert other food service operators about adhering strictly to food safety regulations to avoid similar actions in the future, underlining their commitment to protecting consumers and maintaining hygiene standards in the food industry.